WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a striking shift of tone and policy, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, July 14, 2025, confirmed a sweeping NATO agreement to deliver billions of dollars’ worth of military aid to Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems, and issued a stern ultimatum to Russia to make peace within 50 days or face devastating economic sanctions.
Standing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump declared that the alliance had agreed on what he called “a very big deal,” in which European allies would purchase and rapidly supply American-made weapons to reinforce Ukraine’s defences against intensifying Russian attacks.
“It’s everything: it’s Patriots. It’s all of them. It’s a full complement, with the batteries,” Trump said, noting that the initial deliveries would be made from European stockpiles within days and later replenished by U.S. manufacturers.
While specifics of the agreement remain confidential, Rutte confirmed that NATO members such as Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada were involved in the first wave of rearmament.
Trump added that one unnamed country had “17 Patriots getting ready to be shipped.”
The announcement marked a dramatic departure from Trump’s earlier scepticism about NATO’s role in Ukraine and raised eyebrows globally.
It also represented the strongest public show of unity between the United States and its European allies under the Trump administration.
“This is only the first wave. There will be more,” Rutte told reporters.
Trump also voiced rare admiration for Ukraine’s resistance, praising the country’s “tremendous courage,” and acknowledged the strength of Europe’s commitment to the war effort.
“Having a strong Europe is a very good thing. It’s a very good thing. So I’m okay with it,” he said.
The U.S. president also turned up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of duplicity in peace talks and setting a 50-day deadline to reach a ceasefire or face 100% tariffs on Russian exports.
More significantly, Trump warned of “secondary tariffs” targeting countries that continue to trade with Moscow, particularly those purchasing Russian oil.
“The secondary tariffs are very, very powerful,” Trump stated.
The warning comes amid a relentless Russian bombing campaign across Ukraine.
On Monday, July 14, 2025, alone, Ukrainian authorities reported at least six civilians killed and over 30 injured in attacks involving drones and missiles.
Trump recounted his personal disillusionment with Putin, revealing that despite friendly phone conversations, attacks would follow shortly after.
“My conversations with him are always very pleasant… and then the missiles go off that night,” Trump said.
“I go home, I tell the first lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation. She said: Really? Another city was just hit.”
Trump stopped short of directly labelling Putin an assassin but described him as “a tough guy” who had “fooled a lot of people,” adding pointedly, “He didn’t fool me.”
Ukrainian officials and supporters broadly welcomed the announcement.
Andrii Kovalenko of Ukraine’s national security council responded with a one-word post: “Cool.”
But Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko expressed regret that Trump’s support came only after years of reluctance.
“How many Ukrainian lives could have been saved if… Trump had listened to wise and honest people about helping Ukraine, instead of the artful lies of that cannibal Putin on the phone?” Ponomarenko wrote.
Russian officials appeared unfazed. Konstantin Kosachev, a senior lawmaker, dismissed the announcement as “hot air” on Telegram. Pro-war bloggers also downplayed its significance.
