Trump issues 50-day ultimatum to Russia, announces major arms deal for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday gave Russia a 50-day deadline to bring an end to its war in Ukraine, warning of severe economic consequences if Moscow fails to comply. The president also unveiled a major weapons supply deal aimed at boosting Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

“We’re very, very unhappy with Russia,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House. “We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days — tariffs at about 100 percent.”

He added that the tariffs would be “secondary” in nature, targeting countries that continue to trade with Russia, in a move designed to cut off remaining financial lifelines to the Kremlin.

In a major shift in Washington’s military support to Kyiv, Trump and Rutte announced a plan that will see NATO purchasing billions of dollars’ worth of U.S.-made military equipment — including Patriot air defense systems — for immediate delivery to Ukraine.

“This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment going to NATO,” Trump explained, “and that’s going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield.”

Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, emphasized that the package would include “massive numbers” of weapons to bolster Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression.

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The new initiative comes months after Trump, upon beginning his second term in January, pursued a diplomatic overture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to fulfill his campaign pledge of ending the war within 24 hours. However, that strategy has since soured.

“I don’t want to say he’s an assassin, but he’s a tough guy,” Trump remarked about Putin, signaling a shift in tone following an increase in Russian attacks in recent weeks.

On Sunday, Trump had previewed his Monday announcement by revealing plans to send Patriot systems to Ukraine. The new assistance reverses earlier signals from Washington that it would pause or reduce arms deliveries to Kyiv.

Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday and held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader praised the engagement, saying, “We had a productive meeting where we discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, joint production, and procurement of defense weapons in collaboration with Europe.”

Zelensky added, “I am grateful to President Trump for the important signals of support and the positive decisions for both our countries.”

A Ukrainian soldier stationed in the embattled east of the country, who identified himself by the call sign “Grizzly,” welcomed the renewed U.S. assistance. “Better late than never,” he said. “Because while we are here defending the front line, our families are unprotected. Thanks to the Patriots they are giving us, our families will be safer.”

Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed territorial advances in eastern Ukraine, announcing the capture of two villages — one in Donetsk and another in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian officials also reported that at least three civilians were killed in Kharkiv and Sumy following continued Russian shelling.

Amid the intensifying war, President Zelensky proposed a significant government reshuffle, recommending current Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s next prime minister. Svyrydenko acknowledged the urgency of the moment, writing on social media, “Ukraine is facing a crucial time.”

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