Trump Turns on Putin: New Weapons Plan for Ukraine Rattles the Kremlin
In a major policy reversal, Trump plans to send U.S.-made offensive weapons to Ukraine—funded by Europe. Kremlin alarm grows as long-range strikes near Moscow are reportedly on the table.
Twitter
President Donald Trump is preparing to announce a significant escalation in US military support for Ukraine. For the first time, the plan includes American-made offensive weapons, according to sources who spoke with Axios.
Earlier today, reports surfaced about Trump's intention to send Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine. But it now appears that the move is part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing military pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with.
This marks a sharp shift in Trump's previous policy, which emphasized providing only defensive weapons in order to avoid direct escalation with Russia.
The new plan, coordinated with European countries and Ukraine, is intended to change the battlefield dynamics and force Putin to reconsider his approach to ceasefire negotiations. According to Axios, the package could include long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory, including areas near Moscow. Final decisions are still pending.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters, "Trump is fed up with Putin. His announcement tomorrow is going to be very strong."
The plan is expected to be officially unveiled during a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. At the meeting, it will be announced that European nations will fund the purchase of American weapons that will be delivered to Ukraine.
The proposal was first raised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit two weeks ago. American and Ukrainian sources described the Trump-Zelensky meeting at the summit as the most productive one to date. One US official noted that "Zelensky acted like a normal person, not erratic, and for the first time since 2022, he even wore a suit. His entourage looked professional, and the conversation was smooth."
Trump's decision to support a more aggressive aid package reportedly followed a phone call with Putin on July 3. During the conversation, Putin said he planned to escalate the fighting and take full control of Ukrainian territories where Russia currently has a foothold. Shortly after the call, Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron, "He wants to take it all," according to a source briefed on the exchange.
In the days that followed, what had been only an idea quickly evolved into a concrete plan. On Sunday, Trump told reporters that Ukraine would receive highly advanced military equipment through European intermediaries, including Patriot missile systems. "The European countries will pay us in full," he said. "It's going to be a good deal for us."
Trump also expressed deep disappointment in Putin, accusing him of promising peace while in reality increasing attacks on Kyiv and other cities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded today, saying there has been no real change from the previous administration. "The fact remains that the supply of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment from the United States to Ukraine has continued and continues."
Still, European intelligence officials say Moscow is increasingly concerned. One source told JFeed that Putin sees Trump's shift as a betrayal and is now reevaluating both diplomatic and military strategies.