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Ukraine Welcomes Renewed US Military Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for renewed weapons assistance and a proposed sanctions plan against Russia. In his nightly address, Zelensky stated: "I thank President Trump for his willingness to support protecting our lives." The announcement came after Trump threatened heavy tariffs on Russia if it fails to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days.
NATO Weapons Procurement Deal
The agreement enables NATO countries to purchase new weapons from the United States for subsequent delivery to Ukraine. Immediate support will involve Western nations supplying military equipment previously acquired from the US, including over ten Patriot missile defense systems. Trump emphasized the urgency: "It's very simple - if there's no deal within 50 days, we impose the tariffs."
International Reactions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Trump's initiative as "significant," confirming Germany's commitment to contribute. "We're doing this out of self-interest," Merz stated. "This helps Ukraine defend itself against Russian terror bombings and increases pressure on Moscow to negotiate peace."
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas welcomed Trump's firm stance against Russia but expressed concern about the timeline: "Fifty days is very long." She highlighted the innovative approach of targeting Russia's trading partners since direct US-Russia commerce has significantly diminished.
Russian Response and UN Position
Moscow reacted dismissively to Trump's warnings. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted: "The Americans never stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine and don't plan to." Russian correspondent Geert Groot Koerkamp observed that sanctions historically made little impression on Moscow and wouldn't prompt immediate behavioral changes.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres refrained from commenting directly on the measures but emphasized the importance of a "ceasefire based on UN sovereignty guidelines" consistent with international law.
Strategic Implications
This development occurs amid Russia's ongoing offensive in Ukraine's eastern regions. The Russo-Ukrainian War, which escalated into full-scale invasion in 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and Europe's largest refugee crisis since WWII. Trump's approach aligns with his "America First" foreign policy, utilizing economic pressure to achieve diplomatic objectives.
