"We will transfer weapons to NATO, and the alliance will pay 100% of their cost. These weapons will then be provided by NATO as aid to Ukraine," US President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC on 10/7.
He revealed that the parties reached the agreement at the NATO summit in the Netherlands last month. It is unclear whether the US president was referring to the recently proposed idea, in which some NATO countries would purchase US weapons on behalf of Ukraine to help Washington reduce its budget burden.
When asked about the earlier decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine, Trump claimed to "know nothing about this" and said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth "is doing a very good job."
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 9/7. Photo: AP |
US President Donald Trump at the White House on 9/7. Photo: AP
The US this week resumed arms deliveries to Ukraine after the Pentagon earlier this month decided to withhold a shipment of equipment prepared for transfer to Kyiv. The decision was made by Secretary Hegseth and appeared to surprise many members of President Trump's cabinet, including State Department officials.
Two unnamed US officials told the Associated Press (AP) that the weapons en route to Ukraine include 155mm artillery shells and guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) rockets for HIMARS.
President Trump also addressed the situation in Ukraine during the interview. "I am very disappointed with Russia. Let's wait and see what happens in the next few weeks. I think I will make an important announcement about Russia on 14/7," he said.
The president declined to disclose specific information, but it is possible that the US Senate will pass a new sanctions package targeting Russia. "They will approve a large and severe sanctions bill, but whether it is implemented depends on the president," he said.
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Ukrainian soldiers sit next to 155mm artillery shells in Zaporizhzhia province in March. Photo: AFP |
Ukrainian soldiers sit next to 155mm artillery shells in Zaporizhzhia province in March. Photo: AFP
Senator Lindsey Graham has for months called on Republican leaders, including President Trump, to advance his proposed bill to impose new sanctions on Russia. Graham recently hinted that the bill has received support from both President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Trump has repeatedly expressed public disappointment with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, as Russia continues to deploy large numbers of missiles and drones to attack Ukrainian territory. Observers believe this is a sign that Trump has lost patience with Putin, whom he once trusted and avoided criticizing for many years.
Pham Giang (According to NBC)
