President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Russia on Monday, threatening to impose significant tariffs and revealing plans for an enhanced pipeline to deliver American weapons to Ukraine. This move signifies a tougher stance towards Moscow following months of frustration over failed negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. Trump, a Republican, previously pledged to swiftly resolve the conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago. While initially critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being unwilling to compromise, Trump has recently expressed growing dissatisfaction with Putin.
In a statement, Trump voiced his frustration, stating, “My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night. It just keeps going on and on.” He outlined his intention to impose “severe tariffs” unless a peace agreement is reached within 50 days. Trump provided limited specifics on the implementation of these tariffs, indicating they would target Russia’s trading partners to isolate Moscow in the global economy.
Further, Trump announced that European allies would purchase billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment to assist Ukraine in replenishing its weapons supply. The plan includes Patriot air defense systems, crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russian drones and missiles. Concerns had recently arisen about the U.S.’s commitment to supplying Ukraine due to low stockpiles.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte joined Trump in the Oval Office, confirming that countries such as Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Denmark would participate in purchasing military equipment for Ukraine. Rutte emphasized the urgency of the situation and suggested that some arms would be swiftly sent to Ukraine, with later replacements from U.S. purchases.
Following the announcement, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy shared that he had discussed enhancing security measures and strengthening their partnership with Trump during a phone call. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Trump’s support and willingness to coordinate actions in the future.
Trump’s frustration with Putin escalated due to Russia’s continued attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine. Despite Trump’s previous praises of the Russian leader, his patience wore thin, leading to public condemnations of Russia’s actions. The U.S. special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, held discussions with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on bolstering Ukrainian defenses, joint arms production, and potential sanctions against the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for decisive action, stating, “We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ambitions are curbed by force.” Talks on sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine are ongoing, aiming to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities against further Russian aggression.
Sia has launched devastating attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, using a combination of drones and missiles that overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. The United Nations human rights mission in Ukraine reported the highest civilian casualties in three years in June, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured.
Simultaneously, Russia has intensified its military efforts to push back Ukrainian forces along the 1,000-kilometer front line. The U.S. confirmed sending Ukraine much-needed Patriot air defense missiles, with the European Union agreeing to cover the cost of advanced weaponry. However, a senior Russian lawmaker criticized the move, suggesting it primarily benefits the U.S. military-industrial complex.
Germany has offered to finance two Patriot systems for Ukraine, in addition to providing three of its own systems. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is visiting Washington to discuss cooperation with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasizing the importance of U.S. support for European security.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham highlighted the escalating conflict as Trump shows increased interest in aiding Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. He predicts a significant increase in weapon deliveries, positioning the conflict for a critical turning point.
Despite economic pressure and proposed tariffs on Russia, Trump expressed uncertainty about further punitive measures. He suggested using trade as a tool for conflict resolution but acknowledged the challenges in affecting the ongoing war dynamics.
Efforts to disrupt dialogue between Russia and the U.S. were dismissed by Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, who emphasized the importance of constructive engagement over failed pressure tactics. The ongoing conflict and economic sanctions have led to shifts in global oil trade patterns, with China emerging as a significant buyer of Russian oil.
Enforcing the tariffs could pose a challenge. Nonetheless, the tariffs could have a significant impact, depending on how they are put into effect. Imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, in addition to existing import taxes, would effectively stop trade between the United States and China, the two largest economies in the world. Senators Graham and Blumenthal, co-sponsors of the sanctions package advancing in Congress, commended Trump for his decisive action. They also emphasized the strength of their legislation, which combines congressional approval of tariffs and sanctions with presidential discretion, ensuring solid legal and political standing.Contributions to this report were made by Lorne Cook in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Paul Wiseman and David Klepper in Washington, and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England.Follow the AP’s reporting on Russia’s war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
