U.S. Aid Shift: Trump Backs Long-Range Strikes in Ukraine War Effort
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a new weapons package for Ukraine on Monday, which may include long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Axios and European Pravda.
The announcement comes ahead of Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and is seen as a pivotal shift in the U.S. administration’s approach to supporting Ukraine’s defense.
Sources familiar with the plan say it likely features offensive systems designed to alter the battlefield dynamics and increase pressure on the Kremlin to consider a ceasefire.
While final decisions are still pending, two sources indicated that long-range missile systems are under serious consideration.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented that Trump is “very angry with Putin,” and that the forthcoming announcement would reflect a “very aggressive” response.
The proposed plan also includes a mechanism through which European nations would finance U.S.-made arms destined for Ukraine.
Trump’s shift appears to have been influenced by a July 3 phone call with Putin, during which the Russian leader reportedly made clear his intention to press forward with military operations, aiming to seize all territories claimed by Moscow.
According to a source briefed on the conversation, Trump later told French President Emmanuel Macron, “He wants to take everything.”
Earlier Monday, speaking at Joint Base Andrews, Trump confirmed that the United States would send various advanced military systems to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems.
“We’ll be sending a wide range of sophisticated equipment, and they’re going to pay 100% of the cost,” Trump told reporters. “And that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve... The more equipment we send, the more they will pay us for it. Sounds good, doesn’t it? That’s how it should’ve been all along?”
He added that the exact quantity of weapons was still under discussion but noted that European countries would cover the costs.
Regarding the Patriot systems, Trump said they would be delivered soon, though it remained unclear whether this referred to the full systems or just the interceptor missiles.
“We will send Patriots, which they desperately need. Because Putin surprises a lot of people. He talks nicely, and then bombs everything at night. So it’s a problem, and I don’t like it,” he said.
Watch more: Trump's sudden U-turn: What’s behind the unexpected statements?