Washington Announces NATO Weapons Deal for Ukraine Amid Russia Tensions
The United States has confirmed plans to supply weapons to Ukraine via NATO, with a significant announcement from Donald Trump expected next week. The President revealed the arms deal during an interview, emphasizing NATO’s full financial commitment.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 per cent,” Trump stated. He added that NATO would then distribute the weapons to Ukraine. This arms package, part of a broader diplomatic push, signals a shift in Trump’s previously cautious approach to direct Ukraine assistance.
For the first time since returning to office, Trump is utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority—a legal mechanism allowing emergency military support from US stockpiles. Sources indicate that this new package may be valued at approximately $US300 million.
Trump Prepares ‘Major Statement’ on Russia as Conflict Escalates
While Trump has not disclosed the full scope of his upcoming remarks, he said: “I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday.” His administration has been under pressure due to slow progress on ending the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite his fluctuating stance—sometimes praising Russia, at other times supporting Kyiv—Trump now appears poised to confront Moscow more directly. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur, stressed the need for “a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a massive airstrike involving nearly 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting Ukraine’s capital, ahead of a high-level donor conference in Rome.
Billions in Reconstruction Aid and NATO Coordination in Focus
At the Rome summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for greater use of Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. He urged the West for joint defence production, advanced weapons, and investment. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed over €10 billion in aid pledges, with €2.3 billion from the European Commission.
Trump’s decision to approve direct arms support through NATO underscores a more proactive stance. The upcoming announcement is expected to detail a policy pivot on Russia and outline long-term military and economic support for Ukraine.
