• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

US President Donald Trump on Sunday levelled stern criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as doing "one thing and saying another" in the midst of Moscow's escalating war against Ukraine. “I thought he was somebody that meant what he said, and he’ll talk so beautifully, then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after returning from the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.

In a significant policy shift, Trump confirmed that Washington will send Patriot air defence missile systems to Ukraine, but made clear that the United States will not bear the cost. “We are spending ZERO DOLLARS. The European Union is paying for it. We’re not paying ANYTHING. It’ll be business for us,” he said, reiterating his long-standing demand that NATO allies shoulder a greater share of regional security costs. Trump did not mention the number of missile batteries it will deliver but stated Ukraine "desperately needs" the systems to respond to constant Russian air attacks. The White House action undoes a previous plan to halt some arms deliveries to Kyiv and comes as the war enters its fourth year with a harder line.

New Sanctions On Russia Under Consideration

Signalling a harder stance, Trump hinted at fresh sanctions on Moscow, after months of holding back on measures that European allies have aggressively pursued. When asked about possible new penalties, Trump said, “We’re going to see what we will see tomorrow, OK?” He added he would make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday, when he is also scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington. Trump's remarks came just a few hours after US Senators introduced a bipartisan sanctions bill to authorize the President broad powers to apply punitive sanctions on Russia and countries that are backing its war efforts. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham described the proposed bill as a "sledgehammer" that would enable 500 percent tariffs on nations purchasing Russian products, a veiled threat to China, India, and Brazil.

ALSO READ: Russia Pounds Ukraine In Biggest Missile, Drone Attack, Day After Kyiv's Strikes Killed Its Deputy Navy Chief

“This is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X, formerly Twitter. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal confirmed that discussions with NATO leader Rutte would also address the legal obstacles in opening billions of dollars of seized Russian assets to finance Ukraine's war effort. The European Union has not yet reacted to Trump's statement that it will foot the entire bill for new arms for Kyiv, a major departure from past US-sponsored military aid models.

ALSO READ: ‘Russia Will Not Give Up On...’: Putin Tells Trump In Hour-Long Call, Clarifies On Ukraine Peace Talks

The new measures come after a radical transformation from Trump's previous unwillingness to increase aid, highlighting how the long-term war and failed ceasefires have transformed Washington's strategy. As the Kremlin steps up its summer offensive, Trump's pledge to arm Ukraine and bill Europe for it threatens to remake the West's next move in a conflict that doesn't look like ending anytime soon.