Trump to make ‘major statement’ on Russia tomorrow – here’s what we know

Donald Trump told our US partner network NBC News that he will be making a “major statement” about Russia tomorrow.

But the US president didn’t elaborate any further on what the statement could be about.

“This is the Trump show,” our US correspondent Mark Stone said on the latest episode of the Trump 100 podcast.

“He drives it, he makes handbrake turns when he wants to so he can suddenly decide he’s going down a completely different road on whatever challenge it is.”

Meanwhile, John Sparks said Trump’s statement is “virtually impossible to predict”, but could be linked to the US secretary of state’s meeting with Russia’s foreign minister this week.

US and Russia ‘exchange ideas’ on peace talks

Marco Rubio met Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia this week, with Rubio saying he “exchanged new ideas” on Ukraine peace talks with his Russian counterpart.

Trump has increasingly grown frustrated with Vladimir Putin in recent weeks over his reluctance to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Speaking yesterday after Russian missiles hit a Ukrainian hospital in Kharkiv, Trump addressed the attack directly and said: “I know. You’ll be seeing things happen.”

Could Trump’s statement involve sanctions?

A US bill that would hit Russia with fresh economic sanctions has gained momentum this week, but it’s still in need of a push from Trump.

Ukraine’s supporters in Washington and Kyiv have hoped for months that Donald Trump will throw his weight behind the bill.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been calling on allies to impose tougher sanctions on Russia with its near-daily attacks on Ukraine growing in scale this year.

Donald Trump is set to host Nato’s Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington this week, after the US President resumed weapons shipments to Ukraine.

On Sunday, Nato said Mr Rutte would meet Mr Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and members of Congress.

The White House has not yet confirmed the visit.

Mr Rutte’s trip comes after Mr Trump last week said he would make a “major statement” about Russia on Monday.

It comes after weeks of Mr Trump showing increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued strikes on Russia.

Last week he said he was “strongly looking” at imposing new sanctions on Moscow.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday said the US would begin selling weapons to European allies that they can then provide to Ukraine.

“Putin has calculated that we would get tired and Europe would get weary – he made a huge mistake,” Mr Graham said in an interview on CBS.

“Nato is bigger and stronger, and we’re more committed than ever to make sure he does not take Ukraine by force.”

William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, said Mr Trump will probably reinforce his commitment to Nato during his meeting with Mr Rutte.

“When Putin hears that the Americans and the rest of Nato are solid, he has to re-evaluate,” Mr Taylor told Fox News on Sunday. “So this is part of that activity.”

The development comes after the Trump administration earlier this month had announced that it would pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine, including critical air defence interceptors and precision munitions due to concerns over declines in US stockpiles. Mr Trump later changed course and said transfers would continue via Nato countries.

Critics said slowing weapons transfers plays into Mr Putin’s hands and could prolong the war, leaving Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian missile and drone attacks. Officials have also challenged whether US stockpiles were running low.

Mr Trump took office in January on a promise to swiftly end the war in Ukraine. He said weapons assistance to Ukraine was a waste of US taxpayers’ money.

Under his “America First” approach to foreign policy, he sought to end US military support for Kyiv and reversed decades of foreign policy by initially seeking rapprochement with Mr Putin.

But in recent weeks, Mr Trump seemingly changed his tune on Russia, and its leader.

“He’s very nice all the time but it turns out to be meaningless,” Mr Trump said last week.

Meanwhile, Mr Graham, a Trump ally, is co-sponsoring a bill in the Senate for additional sanctions on Russia, which includes a 500 per cent tariff increase on goods imported from countries who continue to buy Russian oil.

Mr Graham said Mr Trump had approved pushing the legislation.

“I don’t want to get ahead of the President, but stay tuned about seized assets,” Mr Graham said on Sunday.

Living in… This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The burning issue The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Conflict, drought, famine Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.

It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.

Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].

The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.

With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.

Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.

Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.

The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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F1 The Movie Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem Director: Joseph Kosinski Rating: 4/5

The National’s picks 4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah

5.10pm: Continous

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6.20pm: West Acre

7pm: Flood Zone

7.40pm: Straight No Chaser

8.15pm: Romantic Warrior

8.50pm: Calandogan

9.30pm: Forever Young

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software

Publisher: Activision

Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S

Rating: 3.5/5

Key facilities Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes

Premier League-standard football pitch

400m Olympic running track

NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium

600-seat auditorium

Spaces for historical and cultural exploration

An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad

Specialist robotics and science laboratories

AR and VR-enabled learning centres

Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Company profile Name: Infinite8 Based: Dubai Launch year: 2017 Number of employees: 90 Sector: Online gaming industry Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

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Benefits of first-time home buyers’ scheme Priority access to new homes from participating developers

Discounts on sales price of off-plan units

Flexible payment plans from developers

Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees

DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Volvo ES90 Specs Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW) Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

The specs Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic Power: 375bhp Torque: 520Nm Price: Dh332,800 On sale: now

Tips to stay safe during hot weather Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.

Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration. Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.

Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control. Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.

Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss. Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.

Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions. Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.

Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours. Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next week and will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. This was reported by NATO’s press service on Sunday, July 13.

Rutte’s visit to the USA

‘From July 14-15, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington’, the message states.

During the visit, Rutte plans to meet with Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, and members of Congress. It is important to note that this visit will take place in the context of potential allocation of new funds for Ukraine’s assistance by U.S. allies.

According to CBS News and Politico, Trump is considering the possibility of providing additional funding to Ukraine, and the U.S. Congress is prepared to support a law from Lindsey Graham aimed at condemning Russia’s actions.

Ukraine and its support from the U.S. and NATO remain relevant topics in international politics. Rutte’s visit to Washington could open new opportunities for cooperation and support for the Ukrainian side in the context of geopolitical events.

The current situation in the Gaza Strip unacceptable, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, adding he had been unhappy with Israel’s actions in the enclave for several weeks, APA reports citing ARD.

“I don’t like what the Israeli government has been doing in the Gaza Strip for many weeks,” Merz said in an interview with ARD TV channel. He said he had discussed the situation several times with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I hope that we, Europeans, together with the Americans, will be able to find a solution that will eventually lead to a two-state solution [to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict].”

The Palestinians, he said, have the right to a place where they can live. “The current situation in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable,” Merz concluded.

NATO Chief Mark Rutte will visit Washington D.C. on Monday July 14 and Tuesday July 15 where he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, NATO said in a press release.

The press release did not give an immediate reason for Rutte’s visit but Trump said in a recent interview with NBC News that the U.S. would be willing to supply weapons to Ukraine via NATO and that he would make a “major statement” on Monday.

The Trump administration has so far only sent weapons authorized by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv.

Reuters