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Trump warns Russia to end Ukraine war in 50 days, confirms major Nato, Kyiv arms deal
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, on Monday in Washington. AP
US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a warning to Moscow, demanding that Russia end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face sweeping new economic sanctions.
At the same time, he also confirmed a major deal to supply what he called the 'greatest military equipment' to both Nato allies and Kyiv.
'We're very, very unhappy' with Russia, AFP quoted Trump as telling reporters as he met Nato chief Mark Rutte in the White House.
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Trump: 'One of the reasons that you're here today is to hear that we are very unhappy, I am, with Russia…We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100%… I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have… pic.twitter.com/80jK4b8sY8 — The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) July 14, 2025
'We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 per cent,' said President Trump on Monday, warning of 'secondary tariffs' aimed at Russia's remaining trade partners in a move designed to further isolate Moscow and cripple its economy amid ongoing Western sanctions.
Trump and Rutte also announced a new agreement under which Nato will purchase US weapons — including Patriot missile defence systems — and distribute them to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia's invasion.
'This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States, going to Nato… and that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield,' Trump was quoted as saying.
Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, described the new US-led arms deal for Ukraine as a major step forward, confirming that a growing number of European nations have committed to funding the effort.
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'This is really big. This is really big,' The Guardian quoted Rutte as saying, adding that President Trump called him last Thursday with a clear message: he wanted to give Ukraine the weapons it needed, but expected European allies to cover the costs.
'Which is totally logical,' Rutte added.
Calling it a sign of Europe 'stepping up,' Rutte revealed that several countries are already on board with the plan, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada.
'And this is only the first wave, there will be more,' he added.
The Nato chief said the alliance will coordinate closely to identify and meet Ukraine's battlefield needs.
'It will mean that Ukraine can get his hands on really massive numbers of military equipment, both for air defence, but also missiles, ammunition,' The Guardian quoted Rutte as saying.
Trump began his second term in January by seeking a rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours.
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The move raised alarm in Kyiv, where officials feared he might abandon Ukraine — especially after Trump and his aides sharply criticized President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a February Oval Office meeting.
Trump frustrated with Putin
However, in recent weeks, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin, as Russia has not only refused to halt its three-year invasion but has intensified its military offensive.
'I don't want to say he's an assassin, but he's a tough guy,' AFP quoted Trump as saying of Putin on Monday.
Last week, Trump had teased an announcement on Monday on Russia. He then announced on Sunday that he would send vital Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine to help it fend off escalating barrages of Russian attacks.
Washington has also U-turned from an announcement earlier this month that it would pause some arms deliveries to Kyiv.
Rutte's visit to the White House is the first since the former Dutch prime minister described Trump as 'daddy' at a Nato summit in The Hague in June.
Moscow intensifies strikes
Moscow has unleashed record waves of drone and missile strikes over the past few weeks, with the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in June hitting a three-year high, according to UN figures.
Trump's announcement on Monday came as his special envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy.
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Zelensky hailed the 'productive meeting', saying they had discussed 'strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint production, and procurement of defense weapons in collaboration with Europe.'
The Ukrainian leader also said he was 'grateful to President Trump for the important signals of support and the positive decisions for both our countries.'
Russian forces meanwhile said on Monday they had captured new territory in eastern Ukraine with the seizure of two villages, one in the Donetsk region and another in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Its forces also killed at least three civilians in the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions on Monday, regional Ukrainian officials announced.
In Kyiv, Zelensky also proposed a major political shake-up, recommending economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko take over as the country's new prime minister.
Svyrydenko said on social media that Ukraine was facing a 'crucial time.'
With inputs from agencies
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