Trump to help supply missiles for Ukraine in major policy shift
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Trump’s Bold Pivot: New Arms Plan for Ukraine
Former U.S. President Donald Trump plans to supply Ukraine not only with defensive systems, but also offensive weaponry. The move—coordinated with NATO and funded by Europe—marks a stunning reversal intended to pressure Russia amid escalating violence. Trump confirmed the delivery of Patriot air defense batteries, describing them as “very sophisticated military equipment”Sources tell Axios the plan may include long-range missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory, potentially even Moscow. By providing both advanced defensive and offensive capabilities, the plan could significantly alter the war’s dynamics.
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Today, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine: he plans to supply Ukraine not only with defensive systems, but also offensive weaponry. The move—coordinated with NATO and funded by Europe—marks a stunning reversal intended to pressure Russia amid escalating violence.
A Surprising Policy Reversal
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Trump revealed that the new plan will include offensive weapons for Ukraine, marking a stark departure from his prior focus on defensive arms only.
Europe to Foot the Bill
President Of Ukraine from Україна, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Under the plan, NATO allies—primarily European countries—will pay the full cost of U.S.-made weaponry sent to Ukraine.
Patriot Missiles Headed to Ukraine
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Trump confirmed the delivery of Patriot air defense batteries, describing them as “very sophisticated military equipment.”
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Offensive Weapons Included
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Sources tell Axios the plan may include long-range missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory, potentially even Moscow.
Strong Words from Lindsey Graham
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Senator Lindsey Graham warned the announcement will be “very aggressive,” reflecting Trump’s growing irritation with Putin.
Meeting NATO’s Secretary General
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Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are scheduled to unveil the initiative together in Washington—a key diplomatic moment.
What Prompted the Shift?
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The change follows intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, and frustration over failed ceasefire talks.
What It Means for the War
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By providing both advanced defensive and offensive capabilities, the plan could significantly alter the war’s dynamics—though critics warn it may also escalate tensions with Russia.
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‘Moscow Won’t Stop Unless It’s Stopped by Force’ – Zelensky Warns in High-Stakes Talks With Kellogg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Monday. The talks focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, joint weapons production, and ways to move closer to peace.
Zelensky called the talks “productive” and said they focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, joint weapons production, and ways to move closer to peace.
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“We discussed how to bring peace closer, and what we can actually do together – stronger air defense, joint production, and buying weapons with Europe,” Zelensky said as per a press release, published on the President’s Office website.
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He also stressed the importance of US leadership in countering Russia’s aggression.
“Moscow won’t stop unless it’s stopped by force,” Zelensky warned, adding that both sides also talked about tougher sanctions on Russia and its allies.
Trump Threatens Moscow With Tariffs If No Ukraine Deal In 50 Days
US President Donald Trump says he will use trade to force an end to the Ukraine war. He says he has agreed to supply “billions of dollars” of military hardware to Ukraine. The weapons will include Patriot missile systems and batteries, he said. The US special envoy to Ukraine met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv for talks on procuring weapons to repel invading Russian forces. The talks come amid growing frustration in Washington over the lack of a cease-fire in the war, which is now in its fourth year and has claimed more than 8,000 lives.. The United States has pledged to send additional Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine, which has long pleaded for the systems to defend its cities from Russian air strikes, which Moscow has ramped up in recent weeks. The pledge comes after the U.S. announced earlier this month that it was halting some arms supplies to Kyiv, a move seen as a blow to Russia. The move was backed by some of Washington’s strongest allies, including Germany and Canada.
Trump, who had promised a “major statement” on July 14 regarding Washington’s approach to Russia, said he would use trade to help force an end to the war, which is now in its fourth year, adding “it’s great for settling wars.”
The US president, speaking at a news conference with NATO leader Mark Rutte, added that he had agreed with the Western military alliance to supply “billions of dollars” worth of military hardware to Ukraine that will be paid for by NATO members.
The weapons the US will send “within days” to NATO to support Ukraine include Patriot missile systems and batteries, Trump added. noting the US will receive money for all of the equipment it sends to NATO for use in Ukraine.
“We are very unhappy, I am, with Russia,” Trump said.
“We are going to do very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days,” Trump said, adding that he was talking about secondary tariffs “at about 100 percent.”
He gave no further details.
Earlier in the day, US special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv for talks on procuring weapons to repel invading Russian forces.
“We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer. This includes strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, joint production, and procurement of defense weapons in collaboration with Europe,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X.
“And of course, sanctions against Russia and those who help it,” he said, adding “it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength.”
Kyiv and cities across Ukraine have come under repeated heavy air attacks from Russia forces in recent weeks, raising the ire of Trump and other officials in Washington, who have begun questioning whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to hold peace talks to end Europe’s longest and deadliest conflict since the end of World War II.
As if to underline the point, an air-raid alert was declared in Kyiv shortly after the Kellogg-Zelenskyy meeting took place.
The pledge to send additional Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine indicates a policy shift coinciding with Trump’s statement regarding Washington’s approach to Russia.
Kyiv has long pleaded for the systems it sees as crucial to defending its cities from Russian air strikes, which Moscow has ramped up in recent weeks.
The Trump administration announced earlier this month was halting some arms supplies to Kyiv.
However, Trump, who has spoken to Putin by phone at least six times since taking office, has since expressed growing frustration with Putin’s refusal to agree to a cease-fire.
“We get a lot of bullshit from Putin. It’s very nice most of the time but meaningless,” Trump said on July 8.
Trump’s sharper criticism of Putin is notable because he has a history of making positive and flattering comments about the Russian leader. Trump had called him “smart” and last year said he had a “very good relationship” with Putin.
Last week, Trump again openly criticized Moscow.
“I’m disappointed in Russia, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks,” he told NBC News.
The United States has delivered three Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine, all during the administration of President Joe Biden. The Patriot is one of the most advanced air-defense systems in the world, capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles.
Ukraine has also received another four Patriot batteries: three from Germany and one from a group of European nations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has raised the possibility that Berlin could buy Patriots from Washington and then supply them to Kyiv.
Rutte said that countries including Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark are among those who have said they would buy weapons through the new mechanism to supply Ukraine.
He said “speed is of the essence here,” and that he hoped the shipments would make Putin “reconsider” peace negotiations.
Rutte is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and members of Congress during his two-day visit.
One of Trump’s strongest allies, Senator Lindsey Graham, has backed Trump’s move to increase the supply of weaponry to Kyiv, saying that “in the coming days, you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves.”
“One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table,” Graham told CBS News on July 13.
“This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war,” he said.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who appeared with Graham during the CBS interview, said there was also growing bipartisan consensus in Congress and among European allies regarding the tapping of some of the $300 billion in Russian assets frozen by G7 countries to aid Kyiv.
“It’s time to do it,” Blumenthal said.
Russia has stepped up its missile and drone attacks this year, with numbers increasing every month since December, and has intensified barrages on Kyiv and other cities in recent weeks while also pressing forward on the front lines — albeit with massive casualties among its troops.
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and AP
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/trump-missiles-ukraine-weapons-attack-russia