Trump Gives Russia 50-Day Ultimatum, Unveils NATO Arms Deal for Ukraine

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – President Donald Trump on Monday issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine, threatening “very severe” 100% secondary tariffs if the deadline is not met, while simultaneously announcing a major new agreement for European NATO allies to purchase U.S.-manufactured weapons for the Ukrainian military.

The announcements came during a press conference at the White House following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a man Trump called a “friend” who has done a “fantastic job.”

“We are very unhappy, I am, with Russia,” Trump stated. “We’re gonna be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in fifty days.”

The President framed the war, which he said the U.S. has spent approximately $350 billion on, as “Biden’s war,” stating, “It’s not my war. I’m trying to get you out of it.” He expressed disappointment in President Vladimir Putin, saying he “thought we would had a deal two months ago.”

Under the new arrangement with NATO, Trump explained, European nations will pay for top-of-the-line American military equipment to be sent to Ukraine. “We've made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and they're gonna be paying for them,” Trump said. “The United States will not be having any payment made.”

The deal will be coordinated by NATO and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker. Trump noted that this builds on the success of a NATO meeting a month ago where allies agreed to a 5% defense spending commitment.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the decision “really big,” confirming that he had been in contact with numerous countries ready to participate. “Germany massively, but also Finland and Denmark and Sweden and Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada. They all want to be part of this,” Rutte said.

Rutte explained that NATO systems would be used to determine Ukrainian needs and make packages of military equipment, including air defense, missiles, and ammunition. He added that the deal allows for speed, as some countries could move equipment to Ukraine quickly and have it backfilled later by U.S. manufacturing.

“If I was Vladimir Putin today and hear you speaking about what you were planning to do in fifty days and these announcements, I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte said.

Trump confirmed that some equipment, including Patriot missile batteries, could arrive in Ukraine “within days” through a swap system with other countries. He stated one country has 17 Patriot systems ready to be shipped.

During the press conference, Trump also touted what he described as his administration’s success in settling other global conflicts, including in India and Pakistan, Rwanda and the Congo, Serbia and Kosovo, and Armenia and Azerbaijan, while noting ongoing work on Gaza and a dispute over the Nile River dam involving Egypt.

The President acknowledged a separate effort in the U.S. Congress by Republicans to craft legislation for 500% sanctions on Russia but stated he could impose 100% secondary tariffs without Congress, though he called the legislative effort “very useful.”

When asked about his past conversations with Putin, Trump said the talks were always pleasant but were followed by missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. “At a certain point, you know, ultimately, talk doesn't talk. It's gotta be action,” he said.

Rutte added that since January 1, an estimated 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.

Trump concluded by reiterating the war should never have started and that his administration is trying to get it finished, stating, “This is a loser from every standpoint.”