- President Trump issues 50-day ceasefire ultimatum to Russia.
- Threatens up to 100% secondary tariffs on nations doing business with Moscow.
- NATO allies to fund U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine under new arrangement.
- Congress prepares expanded sanctions targeting Russian energy and finance sectors.
President Donald J. Trump issued a sweeping ultimatum to Moscow on Monday, warning that the United States will impose secondary tariffs of up to 100% on nations that continue doing business with Russia if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.
The announcement came during a high-profile meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, signaling a sharp escalation in Washington’s economic pressure campaign against the Kremlin.
“Russia has 50 days to agree to a ceasefire,” Trump said. “If they don’t, we will impose very severe secondary tariffs—up to 100%—on any country that continues to do business with them. This is not a bluff,” Trump told ahead of the announcement.
NATO’s Response
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who met with Trump in Washington on July 14–15, expressed cautious optimism about the new U.S. posture.
“We welcome the renewed commitment to Ukraine’s defense,” Rutte said. “The alliance stands united in its support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Rutte also confirmed that NATO will coordinate with the U.S. to distribute American-made weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems, under a new funding arrangement.
A Strategic Shift
Trump’s remarks mark a notable departure from his earlier stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. Once criticized for his conciliatory tone, Trump has grown increasingly vocal in recent weeks.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that NATO allies will finance the purchase of air defense systems and other weapons for Ukraine—his most significant move yet to support Kyiv in a war he’s long hoped to end.
“We are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said during a meeting with the NATO secretary general. “The United States will not be having any payment made. We are not buying it but we’ll manufacture it and they’re going to pay for it.”
“They feel strongly about it and we feel strongly about it, too,” Trump added. “But we’re in it for a lot of money and we don’t want to do it anymore.”
The administration confirmed that the U.S. will expedite weapons shipments to Ukraine, with NATO allies covering the costs. The move is part of a broader strategy to pressure Russia into negotiations while bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Looking Ahead
With the 50-day deadline now in motion, diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are scheduled to meet with European counterparts to discuss enforcement mechanisms and military coordination.
Whether Trump’s ultimatum will bring Moscow to the negotiating table remains uncertain. But the message from Washington is unequivocal: the cost of continued aggression will be steep—and global.
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