In a bold statement, US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine within the next 50 days, warning of significant new economic sanctions should they fail to comply. This announcement came alongside plans for enhanced military support for Kyiv.
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“We’re very, very unhappy with Russia,” Mr. Trump expressed during a press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re going to be implementing severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days, tariffs that could reach about 100%.” These tariffs would primarily target Russia’s remaining trade partners, aiming to undermine Moscow’s capacity to endure the already extensive Western sanctions.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Rutte also revealed a pivotal agreement in which NATO would procure arms from the United States, including advanced Patriot anti-missile batteries, to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. “Ukraine will receive massive numbers of weapons under this agreement,” Mr. Rutte assured, highlighting NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in this challenging time.
Following his election in January, Mr. Trump had initially sought to mend ties with President Vladimir Putin, with hopes of fulfilling a campaign promise to end the war within a day. However, this shift raised concerns in Kyiv about potential compromises that could jeopardize Ukrainian sovereignty, especially following critical remarks exchanged between Trump’s team and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February.
Recently, however, Mr. Trump has exhibited increasing frustration with Mr. Putin, particularly as the Russian leader has intensified military operations rather than drawing them to a close. “I don’t want to say he’s an assassin, but he’s a tough guy,” Trump remarked today, further underscoring his growing discontent with Russia’s actions.
In a prior indication of his military strategy, Mr. Trump announced the provision of crucial Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, reaffirming a shift in Washington’s military support after a brief pause in arms deliveries was announced earlier this month.
The meeting between Mr. Rutte and Mr. Trump represented a notable moment, especially considering Mr. Rutte had previously referred to Trump as “daddy” during a NATO summit in The Hague. With Russia launching historic waves of drone and missile strikes, the humanitarian toll remains grave, as UN figures indicate a three-year high in civilian casualties in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump’s announcement coincided with a visit from his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Kyiv. President Zelensky characterized their discussions as “productive,” with a focus on fortifying Ukraine’s air defense systems and collaborating on defense production with European partners. Zelensky expressed gratitude for “the important signals of support and the positive decisions” made in favor of both nations.
In the backdrop of this international dialogue, Russian forces reported new territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, while also being attributed with civilian casualties in regions such as Kharkiv and Sumy. Amidst this turmoil, Mr. Zelensky proposed a significant political reshuffle, nominating economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko to assume the role of the new prime minister, citing that Ukraine faces a “crucial time” ahead.
In summary, as the situation unfolds, the united front of the US and NATO stands firm in its commitment to supporting Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion, while the global community watches anxiously for developments in this complex conflict.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
