Trump promised to provide Ukraine with weapons worth 'billions of dollars' – Rutte
Photo: Rutte talks about conversation with Trump (Getty Images)
On July 10, US President Donald Trump promised to provide Ukraine with weapons worth "billions of dollars," funded by NATO countries.
This was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an interview with Fox News, according to the New York Post.
Rutte said he supports Trump’s demand that NATO should bear the financial burden, calling it "fair." He noted that the alliance plans to deliver aid to Ukraine through military assistance packages that are "maximum effective."
According to Rutte, Trump expressed a strong desire to personally step in regarding the war in Ukraine.
"Last Thursday, I got a call from President Trump. He said, ‘Hey, Mark, we really want to ramp up the support for Ukraine when it comes to weapons,’” Rutte said. “And then this morning, I was in the White House preparing for the meeting with him, and he said, when it comes to the sanctions, clearly we have to take the next step now."
The NATO chief believes Trump was frustrated by his recent phone call with Vladimir Putin.
Rutte also urged world leaders who maintain trade ties with Moscow to call Putin and press for a peace deal before the secondary tariffs promised by Trump take effect.
Patriot systems for Ukraine
Trump earlier announced that 17 US-made Patriot systems would soon be sent to Ukraine, with the first arriving in the coming days.
The US and NATO also finalized a deal under which American weapons would be delivered to Ukraine at the expense of European countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the decision and held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss further support.
Trump has given Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a peace deal; otherwise, he has threatened to impose 100% tariffs.
More on Trump’s shifting stance toward Putin and Russia can be found in RBC-Ukraine’s detailed analysis.
