Overview

• President Trump reversed a pause in weapons aid by pledging to send Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine with costs covered by EU nations.
• He warned that if Moscow fails to agree to a peace deal within 50 days, the U.S. will impose roughly 100 percent secondary tariffs on Russia’s remaining trade partners.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed the initiative and cautioned that Putin must heed the ultimatum or face severe economic fallout.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz committed decisive funding for Patriot systems, while Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is in Washington to finalize procurement and delivery arrangements.
• The move responds to Ukraine’s heaviest air attacks since 2022 and follows stalled ceasefire talks that left Kyiv seeking upgraded defenses.