Can reach Moscow: Trump may send offensive weapons to Ukraine - Axios

Two sources told the outlet they have reason to believe the plan will likely include long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory, including targets in Moscow.

However, neither source was aware of the final decision.

"Trump is really pissed at Putin. His announcement tomorrow is going to be very aggressive," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Axios.

Axios notes that the delivery of offensive weapons would mark a major shift for Trump, who until recently insisted he would provide only defensive arms to avoid escalating the conflict.

US, Ukrainian, and European officials hope the new weapons will change the trajectory of the war and alter Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s calculations regarding a potential ceasefire.

New plan for Ukraine aid

The new initiative, expected to be announced at Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, envisions European countries paying for US-made weapons that will be delivered to Ukraine.

The proposal was originally suggested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit two weeks ago.

US and Ukrainian officials also said that Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy at the summit was the best one they’ve had so far.

In recent weeks, Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Putin’s refusal to negotiate a truce and the escalation of Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities.

One turning point, according to the report, was a July 3 phone call during which Putin made it clear he planned to escalate the war.

The Kremlin chief indicated that over the next 60 days, he intended to intensify efforts to seize territory up to the administrative borders of Ukraine’s regions.

"He wants to take all of it," Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron shortly after his call with Putin, according to a source with direct knowledge.

In the days that followed, the weapons plan evolved from a concept into something more concrete.

On Sunday evening, Trump told reporters the weapons to be sent to Ukraine via European countries would include "various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment," including Patriot air defense batteries.

Trump's upcoming announcement

Trump recently announced he would deliver an important statement about Russia on Monday.

Yesterday, in an interview with CBS News, Senator Lindsey Graham also said that Trump was likely to make a surprise announcement today, one that could result in a record flow of US weapons to Ukraine.

For a detailed breakdown of Graham’s remarks, see RBC-Ukraine’s full report.