Trump Announces NATO Deal to Arm Ukraine, Slams Russia Over Escalating Attacks
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States has reached a new deal with NATO to provide weapons to Ukraine, with full reimbursement from the alliance. The announcement follows growing frustration over Russia’s intensifying assault on Ukrainian civilians and a temporary Pentagon pause on U.S. arms shipments earlier this month.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%,” Trump told NBC News. “NATO is going to be giving those weapons to Ukraine.”
According to Trump, the agreement was finalized during last month’s NATO summit. It allows the U.S. to offload military aid directly to NATO partners, who then distribute the aid to Kyiv, effectively shifting the financial burden of aid to the alliance. “We send weapons to NATO, and NATO reimburses the full cost,” Trump emphasized.
The president also said he plans to make a “major statement on Russia” on Monday, amid escalating airstrikes from Moscow, including a drone strike that hit a maternity hospital in Kharkiv and killed at least one person. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried the attack, saying, “Russia targets life. Even where it is just beginning.”
Weapons Flow Resumes After Pause
Earlier this month, the Pentagon halted the delivery of some defense munitions due to concerns about depleting U.S. stockpiles. The pause drew backlash from lawmakers and allied nations. On July 8, Trump appeared to override that pause, confirming the resumption of weapons shipments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified Thursday that the majority of U.S. military aid to Ukraine had not been interrupted. Speaking from Malaysia during an ASEAN summit, Rubio said, “There are certain things that Ukraine needs like Patriot batteries… Countries that are about to receive them should consider deferring shipments so they can go to Ukraine instead.”
Rubio added that discussions are underway with multiple European nations, including Germany and Spain, which possess or are scheduled to receive Patriot systems. “We’re looking for creative ways to provide defensive weapons Ukraine desperately needs,” he said.
Russia Condemned as Conflict Intensifies
The NATO-backed weapons deal comes amid renewed condemnation of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte posted on X, “Russia’s continued massive attacks against Ukrainian civilians are deplorable. I’ve just spoken with President Trump and am now working closely with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed in Rome that Berlin is prepared to purchase additional U.S. Patriot systems for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy used the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome to urge Western leaders to seize and redirect Russian assets toward Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Diplomacy Still in Motion
Amid growing military support, diplomatic efforts continue. Rubio said he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur for a “frank and substantive” exchange and promised to present Trump with a “new and different approach” to ending the war. Details of that proposal remain undisclosed.
Special Representative Keith Kellogg is expected to arrive in Kyiv on July 14 for a weeklong visit. While the White House has not confirmed if Kellogg’s mission is tied to Trump’s pending Monday statement, many anticipate a coordinated diplomatic or strategic policy shift.
Trump’s administration is also reviewing a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, which would impose sweeping sanctions on nations supporting Russia’s war effort and target Moscow’s banking system directly.
“I’m disappointed in Russia,” Trump said Thursday. “But we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
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