U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with NATO countries that will allow them to purchase American weapons and deliver them to Ukraine.
He made this statement in an interview with NBC News, according to Ukrinform.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%. So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump said.
He added that the deal was reached at a NATO summit last month.
“We’re going to be sending Patriots to NATO, and then NATO will distribute that,” he said.
Trump also commented on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
“I’m disappointed in Russia, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks. I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” he said, without providing further details.
Trump also noted that he expects the Senate to pass a tougher sanctions bill against Russia, authored by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
“It’s a bill that the Senate is passing that very respectfully lets the president do whatever he wants, as you know,” he said.
“In other words, it’s at my option if I want to use it. They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it,” Trump added.
On July 8, Trump stated that the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself amid intensifying Russian attacks.
According to Reuters, Trump for the first time since returning to office will send weapons to Kyiv under a presidential power frequently used by his predecessor. More than three years after Russia’s invasion of its neighbor, Trump’s team will identify arms from U.S. stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority. The arms package could be worth around $300 million.
Photo: The White House
Source: Trump says NATO will pay for US weapons sent to Ukraine
