On 14 July, US President Donald Trump confirmed the conclusion of a new agreement with NATO that provides for the delivery of a powerful military aid package worth billions of dollars to Ukraine, UkrInform reports.
The deal involves the procurement of advanced weaponry, including missile systems and Patriot air defense batteries, which Washington will rapidly transport to Europe for subsequent transfer to Ukraine.
According to the American leader, some of these systems would arrive within days. Countries that currently possess Patriot systems have agreed to send them to Ukraine in exchange for new US deliveries. Trump said the systems have a full set of batteries intended to bolster Ukraine’s air defense.
He emphasized that the weapons would be financed by NATO allies, not American taxpayers.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, for his part, reiterated that Ukraine seeks peace.
During his meeting with President Trump at the White House, he said it is vital to provide Ukraine with everything necessary to defend itself from Russia. He called the decision for Europeans to pay for Ukraine's aid entirely logical.
Rutte added that the agreement is the result of the Alliance summit in The Hague, where NATO members committed to gradually increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP, continuing to support Ukraine, and expanding defense production.
He noted that NATO would now assess what Ukraine specifically needs so that the alliance can properly structure military aid packages. Ukraine will gain access to a wide array of weapons, including missile defense systems and ammunition.
In his view, the US president's decision will allow weapons to reach Ukraine at an accelerated pace.
At the same time, Rutte remarked that in light of the latest news from Washington, if he were in Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s place, he would reconsider his approach to negotiations with Ukraine.
The new agreement is the result of a series of talks following Trump's disappointment over Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire. He also threatened Russia with tough secondary tariffs if negotiations fail within 50 days.
