**US to Sell Weapons to Nato Members for Ukraine**
For the first time since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has made a significant pledge to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia. The US president announced that the country will sell billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment to Nato members, who will then supply it to Kyiv.
Under this new deal, the US will not be directly involved in supplying the weapons, but rather provide them to Nato allies who can then pass them on to Ukraine. Trump mentioned that the package includes “everything”, including Patriot air defense batteries and interceptor missiles. One European country has 17 Patriot systems, and a significant portion of these will soon be sent to Ukraine.
This development is crucial for Ukraine, which currently operates only a handful of batteries. The new supplies will give Kyiv a chance to expand its protection against Russian ballistic and cruise missiles.
**A Turning Point in US Support for Ukraine**
Less than two weeks ago, there was widespread concern in Kyiv when the Pentagon announced that it would be suspending military shipments to Ukraine, including Patriots. However, Trump has now downplayed this decision, suggesting that it was made with the knowledge of the new deal that is now being implemented.
The president also hinted that he had been expecting this outcome and therefore put a “pause” on US shipments. This latest development marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance towards Ukraine, as he has previously shown skepticism about direct US involvement.
**Nato Secretary General Plays Key Role**
Mark Rutte, the Nato Secretary General, played a crucial role in facilitating this deal. He sat beside Trump during his announcement and highlighted that the package is “broader than Patriots”, implying that it includes a wide range of military equipment.
Rutte also emphasized that many countries are lining up to participate in this initiative, including the UK, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. He further stated that this is just the first wave of supplies, with more to come.
**Threats Against Russia**
In a separate development, Trump threatened Moscow with new sanctions if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire deal within 50 days. The US president proposed imposing 100% secondary tariffs on Russia and its trading partners if this deadline is missed.
This move follows the urging of Ukraine and members of the US congress to target countries that continue to buy Russian oil and gas, such as China and India. Trump also mentioned that a separate bill in the US Senate aims to impose much stiffer sanctions, with 500% secondary tariffs.
**Conclusion**
Monday’s announcement marked a significant turning point in US support for Ukraine. While it is not a return to Joe Biden’s pledges of unlimited support, it does guarantee that the important weapons pipeline from the US will remain open – provided others pay for it.
However, the coming weeks and months will be crucial as Ukrainians face near-nightly drone and missile bombardment. It remains to be seen whether Trump’s new stance will lead to an immediate stop in this violence or just a temporary reprieve.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
