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President Donald Trump on Monday threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with new economic penalties if Moscow does not agree to a peace deal within 50 days, while also announcing a new defense agreement that would see European NATO allies finance billions of dollars in American-made weapons for Ukraine.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said European nations will fund the purchase of U.S.-manufactured military equipment, including Patriot missile systems, to be sent to Ukraine. The weapons would come from European stockpiles, with countries later replenishing their reserves through new orders from U.S. defense companies.
“We’ve made a deal today where we’re going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump told reporters. “Countries will move equipment fast into Ukraine, and then the U.S. will backfill that because speed is of the essence.”
Rutte described the deal as “really big,” emphasizing that Ukraine would gain access to a large volume of defense assets. “Europe is stepping up,” he said. “Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers of military equipment both for air defense but also missiles, ammunition, etc.”
Trump also issued a sharp warning to Putin, saying he would impose secondary tariffs of 100 percent on countries doing business with Russia if the war is not ended within 50 days.
“We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs… doing secondary tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days,” Trump said. “It’s very simple, and they’ll be at 100 percent. That’s the way it is. I hope we don’t have to do it.”
Unlike traditional sanctions, secondary tariffs would target nations that continue to purchase Russian goods, such as crude oil, coal and gas. China and India, two of Russia’s largest energy customers, could be affected under the proposed policy.
The president urged Russia to end the war and shift focus to trade, saying peace would allow the country to thrive economically.
“From Putin’s standpoint, their economy is going very poorly,” Trump said. “He’s got to get his economy back, save his country… He’s got a great country for trading. He could use the assets instead of war. He’s got some tremendous potential.”