President Donald Trump on Monday announced a major U.S. arms agreement with NATO allies to bolster Ukraine’s defenses—just as he issued a stark 50-day deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to strike a peace deal or face sweeping new tariffs.
During a joint appearance in the Oval Office, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised the move as a “logical” next step following last month’s NATO summit, where member nations pledged to boost defense spending to 2% of their GDP. Trump confirmed the U.S. will sell billions in arms to allies, including Germany, Finland, and Denmark, which will then be quickly transferred to Ukraine.
“This is really big,” Rutte said. “Germany, massively, but also Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada—they all want in. And this is only the first wave.”
The deal comes amid growing frustration from both leaders over failed peace talks with Putin. Trump said he has spoken with the Russian president several times, only to see new attacks follow each conversation. “After three or four times, you say—the talk doesn’t mean anything,” Trump remarked.
Rutte noted that he has coordinated with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure the U.S. maintains sufficient military reserves while fulfilling its allied obligations.
Trump pushed back against isolationist critics, emphasizing the strategic importance of the arms package. “Ultimately, having a strong Europe is a very good thing,” he said.
The plan reinforces NATO’s unified front and significantly ramps up pressure on the Kremlin, as the countdown toward a potential escalation—or breakthrough—begins.
