Trump Expected To Outline Ukraine Weapons Plan
In a U-turn that has highlighted concerns in Kyiv over the consistency of American support, Trump said this weekend that he would send vital Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine to help it fend off escalating barrages of Russian attacks.
Major US outlets like the New York Times and Axios reported Trump will announce a plan that also includes offensive weapons for Ukraine.
Putin has refused to halt his more than three-year invasion despite being corralled into peace talks with Ukraine by Trump, drawing increasing scorn and anger from the US president.
Moscow has also 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.
The Republican has teased a "major statement" on Russia to be made later on Monday, with NATO chief Mark Rutte visiting the White House.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed a "productive meeting" with Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg.
"We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer," Zelensky wrote on social media after the meeting.
"This includes strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint production, and procurement of defence weapons in collaboration with Europe," he added.
Zelensky also said he was "grateful to President Trump for the important signals of support and the positive decisions for both our countries," in an apparent reference to the pledge of new Patriots.
Washington had said earlier this month it would pause some arms deliveries to Kyiv but Trump has changed tack, criticising Putin for intensifying attacks as US-led peace talks stalled.
Trump has also hinted he might be ready to slap sanctions on Moscow as momentum grows for a deterrent package in Congress.
When asked about whether he would announce any levies against Russia, Trump responded on Sunday: "We're going to see what we will see tomorrow, OK?"
Zelensky has called for fresh sanctions on Russia and countries that aid its war efforts.
"It is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength," Zelensky said.
Asked what Europe expects from Trump's announcement later Monday, a German government source said: "In concrete terms I think it means that from the US side, there will be approvals for the delivery of certain weapons."
"There is an expectation from the American side that there will be considerable financial contributions to this end from the European side," the source added.
One Ukrainian soldier deployed in the war-scarred east of the country, who identified himself by his call sign Grizzly, welcomed Trump's promise of fresh air defence systems.
"Better late than never," he told AFP.
"Because while we are here defending the front line, our families are unprotected. Thanks to the Patriots they are giving us, our families will be safer," the 29-year-old added.
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.
Moscow claimed to have annexed both almost three years ago despite not having full military control over them.
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 to "significantly renew" the government's work.
Svyrydenko led negotiations on the US-Ukraine minerals deal that had triggered tensions between Zelensky and Trump after the Republican returned to the White House. Zelensky greets US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg AFP Trump said the United States would not pay for the new air defence systems AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Business Times
an hour ago
- Int'l Business Times
Geoeconomics 2.0: The Real War Is In Chips, Currencies And Control
The world is no longer negotiating peace through treaties or posturing with missiles. Instead, it's wielding tariffs, technology bans, and resource chokeholds as weapons. From Washington to Beijing, New Delhi to Brussels, economic leverage has become the new language of global power. In this new era of geoeconomics, trade routes, tech supply chains, and financial systems are being redrawn—not by markets, but by strategy. And as nations scramble to protect sovereignty and secure advantage, companies and consumers are being pulled into the frontline of an invisible war. What makes this development significant is its departure from the traditional notion of globalization. Trade is no longer just about economic efficiency; it has become an arena of ideological and strategic alignment. As reported by the Financial Times, the current U.S. trade policy under Donald Trump's renewed influence is less about balancing imports and exports, and more about leveraging tariffs as geopolitical tools. Trump has recently announced sweeping new tariffs—30% on imports from the European Union and Mexico, and up to 35% on Canadian goods—framing them not as economic adjustments, but as assertions of national strength. In response, the European Commission is preparing over €70 billion in countermeasures while also seeking to maintain diplomatic engagement. Strategic Supply Chains and the New Resource Wars Parallel to the trade frictions is the reconfiguration of global supply chains, especially in critical sectors like semiconductors, rare earth elements, and artificial intelligence. The U.S. has accelerated its efforts to reshore chip manufacturing, investing heavily in domestic fabrication facilities under the CHIPS and Science Act. These investments are driven less by efficiency and more by the growing sense that technological dependence—particularly on China—presents a national security threat. Meanwhile, China has responded with its own countermeasures, including tighter export controls on rare materials such as gallium and germanium, both crucial to the production of semiconductors and green technologies. According to the Financial Times, these measures are not merely retaliatory but part of a broader strategy to gain leverage in the global technology race. Multinational firms are adapting by shifting operations toward more geopolitically stable manufacturing hubs such as India and Vietnam. As explained by the World Economic Forum, artificial intelligence tools are now central to managing these increasingly complex global supply chains—helping businesses anticipate risk and adjust logistics in real time. The Rise of Economic Blocs The increasing use of economic tools for strategic ends is also driving the formation of geoeconomic blocs. A tighter U.S.–EU alignment is emerging, focused on joint export controls, digital infrastructure and AI regulation, largely in response to China's growing technological influence. At the same time, the BRICS+ alliance—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new entrants—is working to establish alternative trade systems that reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. Though still in early stages, this de-dollarization agenda could have significant implications for the global financial architecture. India, in particular, has become a key swing player in this new configuration. According to the Times of India, Goldman Sachs projects that India's economy will reach $10 trillion by 2035, bolstered by its booming digital services sector and expansion of global capability centers (GCCs). With Western firms eager to diversify out of China, India is increasingly becoming a preferred partner in tech, pharma, and manufacturing. Business on the Front Lines Corporations are no longer passive economic actors. Increasingly, they are becoming entangled in the national security concerns of their home governments. Export restrictions on chips and AI models, foreign investment screening, and cybersecurity compliance have made firms like Nvidia, TSMC, and Microsoft strategic assets—not just market players. A recent controversy involving proposed U.S. tariffs on imported copper illustrates the complexity of this environment. As reported by MarketWatch, industry leaders are warning that such measures could jeopardize America's ambitions in both artificial intelligence and clean energy, since copper is a critical input for electric vehicles, servers, and power grids. What once would have been a narrow industrial tariff now threatens to ripple across multiple sectors of national importance. The business environment has thus shifted from a focus on cost optimization to one of strategic positioning. Firms are being forced to consider geopolitical risk, regulatory friction, and even military escalation in their long-term planning. Markets and Consumers Caught in the Crossfire These global realignments are not just boardroom concerns—they're already impacting markets and consumers. Investors are seeing increased volatility in sectors sensitive to trade policy, such as energy, healthcare, and tech. According to Business Insider, UBS has advised clients to hedge exposure and focus on firms with deep government ties or strategic sector alignment. Meanwhile, consumers can expect to see higher costs in electronics, vehicles, and digital services. Cross-border regulations on data storage, content moderation, and cloud infrastructure are also reshaping how global digital services function, fragmenting the once-borderless nature of the internet. Strategy Over Efficiency What we're witnessing is a redefinition of economic globalization, where nations act like corporations and corporations act like states. Trade corridors are being redrawn, not just based on cost, but on security, ideology, and strategic trust. The new age of geoeconomics is not about who makes a product cheapest, but who can guarantee supply, protect intellectual property, and align with allies. In this environment, resilience and foresight are worth more than speed or scale. For companies, that means investing in intelligence—not just artificial, but geopolitical. For nations, it means viewing commerce not as an end, but as a powerful tool in a long-term game of influence.
Int'l Business Times
an hour ago
- Int'l Business Times
Trump Pushes Fed To Slash Interest Rates To 1%, Sparking Inflation Fears
President Donald Trump is calling on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to 1% , a move he says would ease federal borrowing costs and stimulate growth. However, economists warn such an aggressive cut could destabilize the economy and reignite inflation. "We need a 1% rate. The Fed is killing growth," Trump said during a campaign rally in Michigan on Monday. The current federal funds rate sits at 5.25–5.50%, held steady by the Fed to combat inflation and avoid overheating the economy. A shift to 1% would mark the most dramatic monetary loosening since the COVID-19 crisis. Economists Caution Against Panic Move As reported by Reuters, Trump's proposal was met with skepticism from leading economists. "Slashing rates that aggressively would be seen as a panic move," said Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at KPMG. "It would signal the Fed sees a severe downturn ahead, even if that's not the case." According to Yahoo Finance, business leaders are already warning that Trump's other proposed economic measures—particularly new tariffs—could fuel inflation, even if interest rates are slashed. Economists note that inflationary pressures remain persistent, especially in housing and energy. Lowering rates too quickly could send the wrong signal to markets and drive volatility in the bond market and U.S. dollar. Debt Pressure and Political Calculations The push comes as federal debt servicing costs approach historic levels. As noted by Reuters, a 1% rate could ease short-term interest payments on the national debt—but might spark long-term instability. Across the Atlantic, concerns are growing. According to The Guardian, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič warned that Trump's broader policy package, including proposed tariffs of up to 30%, could "eliminate" transatlantic trade as we know it. Fed Independence in the Spotlight The Federal Reserve, led by Chair Jerome Powell, has repeatedly stated its independence from political influence. The next FOMC policy meeting is scheduled for July 30–31, with most analysts expecting the Fed to hold rates steady. But the pressure is mounting. As reported by Fortune, market participants are increasingly watching for signs of political sway over Fed decisions as the 2024–25 campaign heats up.
Int'l Business Times
2 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Obama Slams Democrats for Being in 'Fetal Positions' as He Calls for Left to 'Toughen Up' Against Trump
Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to abandon their "fetal positions" and "get in there and do something" to fight back against the Trump administration. Speaking at a private fundraiser in New Jersey on Friday, Obama addressed frustration following President Donald Trump's re-election, calling on Democrats to "toughen up." "I think it's going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions," Obama said at the fundraiser, as reported by CNN. "Don't tell me you're a Democrat, but you're kind of disappointed right now, so you're not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something." The former president called on Democrats to embrace "pragmatic, commonsense" candidates like New Jersey's Mikie Sherrill and Virginia's Abigail Spanberger and to focus less on ideological divisions. "I don't care how much you love working people. They can't afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build," Obama said. "I don't want to know your ideology, because you can't build anything. It does not matter." Obama's remarks, delivered at an event hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, come as Democrats wrestle with how to respond to Trump's return to power. The fundraiser brought in $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee, with part of the funds directed toward upcoming governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia. Obama, who has issued occasional warnings about rising authoritarianism under Trump, reiterated the need to defend democratic values and fundamental rights. "What's being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right," he said. "And be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values." "If we all do that... then I think we will rebuild momentum and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should," he added. Originally published on Latin Times Barack obama Donald trump
