The US and NATO announce massive aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine has reacted cautiously to US President Donald Trump's announcements that he intends to supply massive amounts of weapons and increase pressure on Russia. "Thank you for your willingness to support Ukraine and continue to work together to end the killing and create a lasting and just peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote after a phone call with Trump on Platform X. It is Russia that must be forced into peace talks. "And that is exactly what is happening."
Trump had previously announced that he would sell weapons to the Europeans for Ukraine. He also announced 100 percent tariffs on Moscow's backers if an agreement to end Russia's war of aggression was not reached within 50 days. Trump said of the weapons: "We won't buy them, but we will manufacture them." NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also mentioned missiles and ammunition in the deal.
Matt Whitaker, US ambassador to NATO, told CNN that sanctions are planned against countries that buy oil from Russia. This involves tariffs on countries like India and China. "This will have a truly dramatic impact on the Russian economy."
Zelenskyy wants to provide all information to the US special envoyAfter the phone call with Trump, Zelensky wrote that they had agreed to speak more frequently and coordinate future steps. "Thank you, Mr. President! Thank you, America!" This war only continues because of Russia and Putin, Zelensky said earlier in his evening video address.
He emphasized that Kyiv would provide US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg with all information about the situation on the front lines and Russia's new offensive preparations. "Russia still has the means to do so—the means to destroy the lives of its neighbors." But the world now knows "where to strike so that Putin feels the pain and Russia feels the need to seek peace." Russia's funding for the war must definitely be cut.
Kellogg arrived in Kyiv on Monday for a multi-day visit to Ukraine. He primarily wants to gain an overview of the current situation.
However, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, accuses Trump of hesitancy in setting a deadline against Russia. On the one hand, he is pleased about the outpouring of support from the US, but on the other hand, he doesn't understand the reason for giving Putin 50 days, Klitschko said on the ARD talk show "Maischberger."
In 50 days, many more people could be killed in the capital and throughout Ukraine, and many more buildings could be damaged, Klitschko said. "So why such a delay?" He thought Trump still hoped Putin would stop the war, Klitschko tried to answer his question. But he himself didn't think so, because Putin only understands strength.
Pistorius appeals to NATO alliesDefense Minister Boris Pistorius appealed to European NATO allies to participate in the purchase of US weapons for Ukraine. "One thing is clear, and this is an appeal to all other European NATO member states: everyone has to open their wallets," Pistorius told ARD's "Tagesthemen" program before flying home from a visit to Washington.
Regarding Trump's announcement, Pistorius said: "Whether this is truly a reversal remains to be seen. What is crucial is that the tone has changed here." This is an "important signal for Ukraine, but also for Europe as a whole" and a "significant step forward." It is important that the US be involved. "I prefer the United States to be in rather than out. Because they simply have production capacities and can supply systems that we don't have."
Delivery of Patriot systems is being preparedGermany and the United States are jointly preparing to deliver two additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, valued at approximately two billion euros. Germany will finance the delivery. However, final technical, logistical, and financial details still need to be clarified, Pistorius said after a meeting with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington. However, they "appear to be solvable for both of us, so we'll get to work quickly."
Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems, Pistorius said. A few weeks ago, he had already suggested to Hegseth in a phone call that he purchase two Patriot systems from the US and deliver them to Ukraine. There are now two options: Either Germany buys two immediately available systems from US stocks, which are then delivered directly to Ukraine. Or the Bundeswehr initially provides Ukraine with two of its systems and later receives replacements from the US.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) praised Trump's announcement to supply weapons to Ukraine as an "important initiative." "President Trump and I have discussed this several times in recent days. I assured him: Germany will make a decisive contribution," Merz said on the Platform X.
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