In a major shift in stance regarding the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump is preparing to announce a new plan to provide Ukraine with “offensive” weapons within the day, the news website Axios reported on Sunday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The White House did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters news agency for comment on this information.
American, Ukrainian and European officials hope that the weapons will change the course of the war and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s calculations regarding a ceasefire, according to the report.
Sources told Axios they have reason to believe the plan is likely to include long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow. However, they emphasized they were not informed about the president’s final decision.
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“Trump is really pissed at Putin. His announcement tomorrow will be very aggressive,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios.
According to the website, the plan will be presented at a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and includes the participation of European countries that will pay for the American weapons to be sent to Ukraine.
The plan was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit two weeks ago.
Why now?
Trump has been disappointed over the past two weeks by Putin’s reluctance to move forward with a ceasefire and Russia’s escalating attacks on Kiev and other cities. However, what reportedly convinced the American president to proceed with weapons deliveries to Kiev was the July 3 phone call in which Putin made it clear he planned to escalate the war.
Putin mentioned that within the next 60 days he would apply new pressure to seize territory. “He wants to take it all,” Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron shortly after his phone call with Putin, according to a source with direct knowledge.
Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that the weapons he would send to Ukraine through European countries would include “various pieces of very sophisticated military (equipment),” including Patriot air defense systems.
He said European countries “will pay 100% for them. It will be business for us.” He added that he is “very disappointed” with Putin.
