“We’re very, very unhappy,” says Trump as he warns of secondary sanctions and unveils NATO weapons deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday gave Russia 50 days to resolve its war in Ukraine or face sweeping new economic sanctions, including 100% tariffs and secondary penalties targeting Moscow’s remaining trade partners.
“We’re very, very unhappy” with Russia, Trump told reporters at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. “We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days.”
Trump and Rutte also announced a major arms deal under which NATO would purchase U.S. military equipment, including Patriot missile systems, for swift delivery to Ukraine.
“This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment… going to NATO… quickly distributed to the battlefield,” Trump said.
Zelensky welcomed the move, calling it a “positive decision” that would strengthen Ukraine’s defenses. A Ukrainian soldier on the front lines said, “Better late than never.”
Trump, once eager for rapprochement with Putin, has grown increasingly critical, saying Monday: “I don’t want to say he’s an assassin, but he’s a tough guy.”