Trump and NATO Chief to Finalize Ukraine Weapons Plan

President Donald Trump is set to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington on Monday and Tuesday to discuss a plan for the U.S. to sell advanced weaponry to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine, Trump announced upon arriving in Washington on Sunday night. “We’re sending them very sophisticated weapons, and they’re paying us 100%,” Trump told reporters, signaling a shift from his campaign stance of minimizing U.S. spending on Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

The plan, first floated at the recent NATO summit, allows NATO allies to procure U.S.-made weapons, including Patriots, for Ukraine, with European nations purchasing replacements to bolster their own arsenals. Senator Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, noted that weapons already deployed in Europe, such as in Germany, could reach Ukraine faster than new orders from U.S. factories. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu highlighted Europe’s push for enhanced air defense support, though France faces delays in supplying new missiles until 2026.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally, described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as nearing a turning point, with Trump showing renewed interest in countering Russian aggression. “Putin miscalculated by playing Trump,” Graham said on CBS’ Face the Nation, predicting a surge in weapons to Ukraine soon. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal echoed bipartisan support for tapping $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, a move gaining traction among G7 nations.

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Trump’s meeting with Rutte follows his tease of a “major statement” on Russia, amid Ukraine’s struggle against intensified Russian air assaults. The discussions also coincide with pressure from both U.S. parties and European allies for Trump to back Senate legislation imposing a 500% tariff on goods from countries like China, India, and Brazil, which dominate Russia’s energy trade, to cripple Moscow’s war funding. Trump, frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tactics, seeks full control over any sanction waivers in the bill, a point of contention with some Democrats.

Rutte, who has publicly praised Trump’s push for higher NATO defense spending, will also meet Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and members of Congress to solidify the arms transfer strategy. The plan reflects a pragmatic approach to sustaining Ukraine’s defense while addressing Trump’s demand for Europe to shoulder more costs.

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