WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump stated on Thursday (Jul 10) the US would provide weapons to Ukraine through NATO and that he would make a “main assertion” on Russia on Monday.
In current days, Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the shortage of progress in direction of ending the struggle sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“I believe I am going to have a serious assertion to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump informed NBC Information, declining to elaborate.
Trump additionally informed NBC Information about what he referred to as a brand new deal between the US, NATO allies and Ukraine over weapons cargo from the US.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for these weapons, 100 per cent. So what we’re doing is the weapons which can be going out are going to NATO, after which NATO goes to be giving these weapons (to Ukraine), and NATO is paying for these weapons,” Trump stated.
“We ship weapons to NATO, and NATO goes to reimburse the total price of these weapons,” he added.
For the primary time since returning to workplace, Trump will ship weapons to Kyiv beneath a presidential energy ceaselessly utilized by his predecessor, two sources acquainted with the choice stated on Thursday.
Trump’s workforce will determine arms from US stockpiles to ship to Ukraine beneath the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which permits the president to attract from weapons shares to assist allies in an emergency, the sources stated, with one saying they could possibly be value round US$300 million.
Trump on Tuesday stated the US would ship extra weapons to Ukraine to assist the nation defend itself in opposition to intensifying Russian advances.
The bundle may embrace defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, however a choice on the precise tools has not been made, the sources stated. One of many individuals stated this might occur at a gathering on Thursday.
The Trump administration has to this point solely despatched weapons authorised by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv. The Pentagon and the White Home didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Trump had pledged to swiftly finish the struggle however months into his presidency, little progress has been made. The Republican president has typically criticised US spending on Ukraine’s defence, spoken favorably of Russia and publicly clashed with Ukraine’s chief. Nevertheless, typically he has additionally voiced assist for Kyiv and expressed disappointment within the management of Russia.
