Trump Issues 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia, Announces Major NATO Arms Deal for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia, demanding an end to the war in Ukraine or facing severe tariffs potentially as high as 100%, targeting not only Russia but also its trading partners to cut off financial support. Trump announced a significant arms deal during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, involving billions of dollars in U.S.-made military equipment, including Patriot missile defense systems, to be distributed to Ukraine by NATO members such as Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over stalled peace negotiations and ongoing attacks on Kyiv, describing Putin as tough but unreliable, and distancing himself by calling the conflict "Biden’s war." The Trump administration had previously attempted diplomatic efforts, including talks in Istanbul, but these failed as Russia walked away. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed Trump's tougher stance but criticized the 50-day deadline as too long. This new approach marks a shift from Trump's earlier attempts to quickly end the conflict through diplomacy toward increased military and economic pressure on Russia.