Hooray! President Donald Trump’s decision to send “billions of dollars” worth of weapons to Ukraine via NATO could prove a game-changer in Kyiv’s 40-month-old war against Russian aggression.
The prez on Monday also announced 100% “secondary tariffs” targeting Moscow if it fails to agree to a cease-fire within 50 days.
It’s a terrific combination.
Russia’s been stepping up its attacks, including on civilian areas, Ukraine is running short of weapons and its ability to fight back is worsening. And the sanctions could break Russia’s economy.
Trump didn’t provide details on the precise types of weapons for Kyiv, but he did say it’ll get a “full complement” of “the best” available.
Matt Whitaker, the US ambassador to NATO, said the short-term plan was to send defensive systems, like the Patriot batteries that can take out Russian missiles.
But Ukraine will also get offensive weapons, including long-range missiles that can reach far into Russia territory, Axios reports. The Russian public, and Putin himself, will feel the consequences.
Best of all, NATO countries will be paying the bill — with proceeds going to US manufacturers for weapons they produce. Sweet.
Trump’s secondary tariffs can also help squeeze Russia, depriving it of revenue to fund its war — though giving Putin 50 days is generous.
“It’s about tariffs on countries like India and China that are buying their oil. It really is going to dramatically impact the Russian economy,” explains Whitaker.
Congress, too, has been moving ahead with a bill to impose sanctions, including a 500% tariff on countries that buy Russian energy.
Again, sanctions are key: Russia’s already facing dire economic pain; the prospect of another hit to its economy will help pressure Putin to work out a cease-fire.
Meanwhile, the mystery of who halted US weapons shipments to Ukraine a couple of weeks ago grows deeper.
Work on the shipments Trump announced Monday reportedly began months ago. Why order a pause in current shipments knowing more would be coming soon?
Note, too, that some of Trump’s aides oppose US aid to Ukraine; did they halt the shipments without his OK — and despite emerging plans to provide additional weapons?
Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby reportedly made the call; if he and/or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did so without the commander-in-chief’s knowledge, the president ought to demand their resignation. Underlings cannot be allowed to make decisions like that on their own.
Fortunately, Team Trump is now on the right course.
The sooner Ukraine gets the weapons it needs and new sanctions hit Russia, the sooner Putin will feel pressed to make a deal.
