** Former US President Donald Trump has formalized his strategy for the Ukraine conflict, announcing during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office that Patriot systems and other US weapons will flow to Kyiv via NATO, funded by European allies. Crucially, he issued a 50-day ultimatum to Moscow: reach a peace deal or face severe secondary sanctions.
“I am very disappointed in Putin,” Trump stated, expressing frustration with the Russian leader. “I thought he was a serious player. Instead, he’s always pleasant in our conversations, but then bombs everyone in the evening,” he lamented hours earlier. Axios reported Trump told French President Macron that Putin “wants to take everything” following a July 3rd call.
The centerpiece is the threat to impose “very severe” 100% tariffs on Russia within 50 days if no agreement is reached. Trump intends to use presidential powers for these “secondary sanctions,” bypassing a bipartisan Congressional bill proposing up to 500% tariffs. The White House clarified these sanctions would target not only limited Russian exports to the US, but crucially, nations trading with Moscow—like China and India, particularly for energy—aiming to isolate Russia financially and cripple its war machine. “I use trade for many things, but it’s great for ending wars,” Trump asserted.
He avoided explaining the 50-day timeframe, despite EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling it “a very long period” given daily Ukrainian casualties. Trump also softened his criticism of Putin, stating, “I don’t want to say he’s a murderer, but he’s a tough guy,” while expressing confidence a deal is possible.
Separately, Trump outlined the NATO agreement: European allies, coordinated by the alliance, will purchase “billions and billions” worth of US-made military equipment for transfer to Ukraine. The US will produce the arms, including Patriot batteries arriving “very soon, within days,” but contribute no funds. Rutte identified Germany (offering two Patriots), Finland, Canada, Norway (one Patriot), Sweden, the UK, and Denmark as key buyers. Axios suggested the US might also sell long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia, including Moscow.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a “productive meeting” with Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg. They discussed “the path to peace,” strengthening Ukrainian air defense, joint weapons production, and defense procurement with Europe. Zelensky later spoke directly with Trump, calling it an “excellent conversation” focused on “means and solutions to ensure better protection… and strengthen our positions.” Both agreed to frequent future coordination.
Moscow downplayed Trump’s announcements. Duma Deputy Chairman Konstantin Kossachev dismissed them on Telegram as “all smoke and no fire,” questioning the stability of NATO/US positions over 50 days. He mocked the European funding arrangement: “Europeans will have to pay and pay; their free lunch was in a mousetrap. There’s only one beneficiary: the US military-industrial complex.”