U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he will make a “major statement” about Russia next week. In an interview with NBC News, he also revealed a new plan to supply American weapons to Ukraine — not directly, but through NATO allies. According to Trump, these supplies will include Patriot missile systems.
This statement marks a further sign of Trump’s cooling relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and growing alignment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I’m disappointed in Russia, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks… I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump said.
Earlier this week, he publicly stated he was “not happy” with Putin for failing to find a way to end the war. This rhetoric stands in stark contrast to Trump’s previously softer tone toward the Russian leader and, according to The Financial Times, may indicate a strategic pivot.
A New Deal: Supplying Ukraine Through NATO
Trump outlined the essence of his new “deal” for arming Ukraine. The scheme envisions weapons being sold to NATO member states, who will then transfer them to Ukraine. Trump emphasized that NATO would cover the full cost of the supplies.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent… The weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump stated.
He added that Patriot air defense systems were among the weapons to be transferred: “We are going to be sending Patriots to NATO and then NATO will distribute that.”
Formally, NATO as an organization does not conduct joint arms purchases. However, several of its members have already signaled readiness to buy additional weapons for Ukraine. Germany, for instance, has offered to purchase two Patriot systems from the U.S. to donate to Kyiv.
Patriot systems are among the most advanced U.S.-made air defense weapons. They are currently the only system in Ukraine’s arsenal capable of intercepting Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles — making them a key component of Kyiv’s air defenses.
President Zelenskyy previously stated that he had secured agreements with Germany and Norway for the purchase of three Patriot systems from the U.S. These systems are urgently needed in light of Russia’s intensified aerial attacks. Over the past week, Moscow has launched one of its heaviest missile and drone strikes since the war began — a nearly 10-hour assault from Wednesday night into Thursday.
Speaking in Rome during a meeting with European leaders, Zelenskyy said: “Russia wants to launch 1,000 drones a day against Ukraine.” He added that joint production of interceptor drones — capable of neutralizing Iran-designed suicide drones used by Russia — had been discussed with Western allies.
“If our partners take in everything I’ve shared and funding is allocated accordingly, we will be able to do it,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, there are already four Ukrainian companies and one U.S.-Ukrainian joint venture producing such drones. “What we need now is to scale up production,” he emphasized.
Pentagon Reversal and Sanctions Legislation
Another key development came from the Pentagon. On Tuesday, Trump stated the U.S. would resume arms deliveries to Ukraine, effectively reversing a previous Defense Department decision to halt the supply of certain critical weapons.
Trump also expressed support for a new sanctions bill proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. He described the legislation as giving the president broad authority to act against Russia.
“It’s a bill that the Senate is passing that very respectfully lets the president do whatever he wants, as you know… In other words, it’s… my option if I want to use it. They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it,” Trump explained.
According to The Financial Times, these statements suggest a growing rift between Trump and Moscow, as the president proposes a double-pronged strategy — increasing military support to Ukraine through NATO and stepping up economic pressure on the Kremlin.
If Trump delivers on his promise of a major announcement next Monday, it could mark a turning point in the U.S. approach to the war in Ukraine and its broader policy toward Russia.
This article was prepared based on materials published by The Financial Times. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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