Trump to supply missiles to Ukraine, gives Russia 50-day ultimatum
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Trump in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Vice President Vance. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty
President Trump announced Monday that the U.S. will dramatically increase weapons supplies to European allies, with those countries then sending arms to Ukraine.
- A source familiar with the plan tells Axios the U.S. will sell around $10 billion in weapons to NATO allies in the first wave.
- The supplies ultimately bound for Ukraine include missiles, air defense weaponry and artillery shells.
Why it matters: This is a seismic policy shift from Trump, who originally refused to side with Ukraine and until very recently insisted he would only supply defensive weapons so as not to escalate the war.
- Trump also said he was giving Russia 50 days to make a deal or else face 100% "secondary tariffs," seemingly referring to a plan to impose tariffs on countries like China and India that buy Russian oil. That would have a major impact on global oil markets.
- A White House official told Axios that Russia must agree to a ceasefire within 50 days to avoid steep sanctions and tariffs.
Driving the news: Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said the U.S. would send "billions" of dollars worth of "the best" military equipment in the world to NATO allies, with those countries footing the bill.
- Rutte said this would allow Ukraine to obtain "a massive supply of weapons," including air defense and missiles.
- In some cases, the countries will immediately send supplies already in their arsenals to Ukraine and purchase arms from the U.S. to backfill them.
- While Trump did not provide details about the weapons systems that will be part of the scheme, he did mention missiles. Two sources told Axios the plan would include long-range missiles that could strike deep inside Russia.
The big picture: U.S., Ukrainian and European officials hope the weapons will shift the trajectory of the war and change Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculations regarding a ceasefire.
- The scheme for European countries to pay for U.S.-made weapons that will be sent to Ukraine was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit two weeks ago.
- As Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly after their fruitless July 3 phone call, the idea started to turn into a reality.
- Trump said Monday that whenever he speaks to Putin, "I always hang up and say, 'Well, that was a nice phone call.' And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city. And after that happens three or four times, you say, 'Talk doesn't mean anything.'"
What they're saying: Rutte said Trump had called him on Thursday and said he'd decided that Ukraine should have what it needs to defend itself, but that he wanted Europeans to pay for it.
- The secretary-general mentioned Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the U.K., the Netherlands and Canada as countries that already expressed interest.
- He added that the U.S. will maintain the stockpiles it needs for its other global missions.
The latest: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he'd spoken with Trump on Monday. He thanked him for his "willingness to support Ukraine" and said Ukraine would "work as productively as possible to achieve peace."
What to watch: Trump said he would be imposing "very severe tariffs" if there is no deal with Russia in "about 50 days."
- A bill circulating in the Senate would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, but Trump suggested that number was too high and that he could impose 100% tariffs without Senate approval.
This breaking news story has been updated throughout.
