**Trump’s Plan to Sell Weapons to Ukraine Sparks Anger from Conservative Allies**
Donald Trump’s plan to send weapons to Ukraine via NATO has sparked a heated debate among his conservative supporters, with some arguing it goes against the president’s promise to end US involvement in foreign wars.
On Monday, Trump announced that he would provide arms to Ukraine while also threatening Russia with more tariffs if a deal to end the war is not reached within 50 days. However, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon have come out against the decision, labeling it a “betrayal” of Trump’s campaign promise.
Greene, who has been a loyal supporter of Trump, said in an interview with the New York Times that the move was at odds with what she had promised voters on the campaign trail. She argued that the US should not be involved in foreign wars and that the decision to provide arms to Ukraine would ultimately cost American taxpayers.
“This is what we campaigned on,” Greene said. “This is what I promised also to my district. This is what everybody voted for. And I believe we have to maintain the course.”
**Trump’s Response: “We’re Not Buying It, But They’ll Be Paying For It”**
Trump has emphasized that Europe will pay for the US-made weapons, but his conservative allies remain skeptical. Greene expressed concerns that US taxpayers would ultimately bear some of the costs and criticized what she called “backdoor deals through NATO”.
“We still hate it,” said a former Trump campaign official who spoke to Politico on condition of anonymity. “This is not our war, and escalation isn’t in America’s interest.”
**NATO Commitment Praised by Trump Supporters**
However, officials in the Trump administration have defended the president’s decision, pointing out that NATO leaders have made a commitment to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their economic output. This, they argue, means that Europe is taking on more responsibility for its own defence.
Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby wrote on X that Trump’s “America First message is that our alliances have to be fair and equitable”. He added that the NATO commitment was a historic shift in the alliance’s approach to defence spending.
**Trump Affirms Support for NATO, Criticizes Russia**
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, just hours after meeting NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump reaffirmed his support for the organization and its common defence principle. He also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he was “disappointed but not done” with him.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment on the controversy surrounding Trump’s decision to sell weapons to Ukraine.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Trump’s conservative allies will respond. One thing is certain: the debate over US involvement in foreign wars and the country’s relationships with NATO and Russia will continue to dominate the headlines for weeks to come.
