TRUMP GIVES RUSSIA A 50 DAYS ULTIMATUM TO REACH A CEASEFIRE – Trump vowed to impose sanction on Russia in no ceasefire within 50 days
President Donald Trump on Monday (July 14) announced a toughened stance against Russia for its war in Ukraine, promising a fresh wave of missiles and other weaponry for Ukraine and giving Moscow 50 days to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.
In the Oval Office at an announcement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump told reporters he had become deeply frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The decision by Trump to send arms to Ukraine represented a turning point for the Republican president, who has spent the early months of his term trying to coax Putin into a ceasefire agreement, only to be turned down every time.
Under the deal, Trump said the U.S. will supply weapons that will be paid for by NATO countries. Rutte said massive numbers of weapons would be sent, including missiles, as part of a first wave of equipment.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made regular appeals to the U.S. and its NATO allies for weapons to help defend itself in the grinding war.
Trump coupled his arms announcement with a vow to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia if Moscow will not make a ceasefire agreement within 50 days.
Congressional leaders have been working on a Russia sanctions package.
A White House official said Trump’s intent is to impose “100% tariffs on Russia” and secondary sanctions on other countries that buy oil from Russia if a deal isn’t struck in 50 days.
“If I was Vladimir Putin today, and you’re speaking about what you are planning to do in 50 days… I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte said.
