President Donald Trump announced on Monday that NATO allies will finance the purchase of Patriot missile defense systems and other American-made weapons for Ukraine. Calling it his most substantial action yet to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, Trump emphasized that while the weapons would be produced by the U.S. defense industry, the funding would come from European countries.
“We’ve made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “They feel strongly about it, and we feel strongly about it, too. But we’re in it for a lot of money, and we don’t want to do it anymore.”
The deal, reportedly worth “billions of dollars,” will be coordinated by NATO. Trump reiterated that the arrangement aligns with his long-standing push for European nations to shoulder more of the collective defense burden. Rutte called the decision “really big” and evidence that Europe is “stepping up.”
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A Strategic Shift on Ukraine and Russia
Throughout the meeting, Trump highlighted the superior quality of U.S.-made weapons and stressed the financial benefits for American industry. He also made it clear that he viewed the Ukraine conflict as something he inherited. “This is not Trump’s war,” he said. “We’re here to try and get it finished and settled.”
Although Trump has maintained an “America First” foreign policy, his approach to the conflict has evolved over time. Ukrainian leaders originally proposed the plan to have Europe fund American arms for Kyiv, and Monday’s move suggests Trump is now embracing that proposal. Increasingly frustrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resistance to diplomatic efforts and the continued escalation of the war, Trump has gradually aligned more closely with Europe’s position on defending Ukraine.
Less than five months ago, Trump had a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticizing him for doubting Russia’s commitment to peace. But on Monday, Trump shifted tone, praising Ukraine’s “courage” and commending Europe’s “spirit” for continuing to support Ukraine’s defense.
Tariff Threats and Sanctions on the Table
In a dramatic turn, Trump issued a direct warning to Russia, saying he would consider unilaterally imposing “100 percent” tariffs on the country if a peace deal isn’t reached within 50 days. He also mentioned the possibility of backing a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at strengthening sanctions against Moscow, which could be taken up this week.
The NATO summit held last month had already centered heavily on efforts to provide more air defenses for Ukraine. During that meeting, Ukrainian officials pitched the concept of Europe financing American-made weapons to speed up delivery. Monday’s announcement is the first real implementation of that strategy.
As part of their broader defense commitments, NATO countries pledged to spend 5 percent of their GDP on defense by 2035. This latest aid package can be counted toward that goal, potentially making the commitment more manageable for member nations.
Conflicting Signals From U.S. Defense Officials
While Trump’s new plan signals renewed support, the road leading up to this point has been turbulent. The Trump administration has been inconsistent on the issue of supplying Ukraine with arms. The Pentagon has halted previously promised shipments three times in recent months, with each freeze eventually reversed by the White House.
The most recent stoppage occurred earlier this month when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and policy chief Elbridge Colby halted thousands of air defense missiles and munitions bound for Ukraine. These supplies were temporarily stuck in Poland while officials awaited further direction. The move caught many within the State Department and White House off guard and surprised European allies, who were not informed about the delay.
Trump’s Warning to Russia Marks a Turning Point
Trump’s announcement to arm Ukraine using European funding, while threatening steep tariffs against Russia within 50 days, marks a notable change in his approach to the conflict. The plan, led by Ukraine and backed by NATO, could reshape how the West supports Kyiv moving forward—even as internal disagreements continue behind the scenes.
