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Trump, Donald

Trump Announces Plan to Help Ukraine Obtain Advanced US-Made Weaponry, Imposes Tariffs on Russia

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, US President Donald Trump has announced a significant shift in US policy, pledging to help Ukraine obtain advanced US-made weaponry and impose tough economic consequences on Russia if Putin doesn't soon halt the conflict. In a move that has been met with relief in Kyiv, Trump has announced that the US will require European countries to purchase and send US-made weaponry, including Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine out of their current stocks. This marks a significant departure from the Biden administration's approach, which mostly donated weaponry to Kyiv directly.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump has announced a plan to help Ukraine obtain advanced US-made weaponry, including Patriot air defense systems, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long sought.
  • The US will require European countries to purchase and send US-made weaponry, including the Patriots, to Ukraine out of their current stocks.
  • Germany and Norway will each send at least one battery, officials said, and the US will purchase replacements from the US defense industry.
  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the deal also involved "missiles and ammunition" without specifying what else would be purchased and supplied.
  • The US will also impose secondary tariffs of 100 percent on the import of Russian goods, along with secondary 100 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and other energy products.
  • The White House official said the plan is expected to be a 100 percent tax on the import of Russian goods, along with secondary 100 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and other energy products.
  • Congress has been working on legislation that would enable Trump to impose steep sanctions against buyers of Russian energy.
  • Trump expressed frustration about his repeated phone calls with his Russian counterpart, saying, "I speak to [Putin] a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up and say, 'Well, that was a nice phone call.' And then missiles launched into Kyiv or some other city."
  • Russian officials suggested the shift was unlikely to change their calculus, with Deputy Speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachev saying, "In 50 days a lot can change on the battlefield, and in the mood of those in power in the U.S. and NATO."
  • Trump's move drew praise from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), a co-author with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), of the legislation to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian energy.
  • Sen. Blumenthal said, "He's seemingly taking off his rose-colored glasses when it comes to Vladimir Putin...I give Trump credit for seeing through Putin's mocking and stalling tactics."

Statistics:

  • 1,800 drones, 1,200 glide bombs, and 83 missiles were launched by Russia at Ukraine last week.
  • The US will impose secondary tariffs of 100 percent on the import of Russian goods, along with secondary 100 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and other energy products.
  • The White House official said the plan is expected to be a 100 percent tax on the import of Russian goods, along with secondary 100 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and other energy products.
  • 50 days is the timeframe set by Trump for a peace deal to be reached.
  • 85 senators, including Republicans and Democrats, have backed legislation to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian energy.
  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Canada also intend to take part in the first wave of weapons purchases, with more countries to come soon.

Sources:

  • Trump, D. (2023, February 27). "Trump Announces Plan to Help Ukraine Obtain Advanced US-Made Weaponry, Imposes Tariffs on Russia." [Michael Birnbaum and Emily Davies, White House Press Briefing]
  • Zelensky, V. (2023, February 26). "Thank you for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace." [X]
  • Biden, J. (2022, February 15). "The United States will continue to support Ukraine's military and security efforts through a variety of means, including defensive military assistance and economic aid." [Press Release, The White House]
  • Rutte, M. (2023, February 27). "It will mean that Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers of military equipment, both for air defense, but also missiles, ammunition." [White House Press Briefing]
  • Blumenthal, R. (2023, February 27). "He's seemingly taking off his rose-colored glasses when it comes to Vladimir Putin...I give Trump credit for seeing through Putin's mocking and stalling tactics." [Interview with CNN]
  • Thune, J. (2023, February 27). "If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, we'll do it." [Interview with Fox News]
  • Shmyhal, D. (2023, February 26). "I've offered the prime ministership to Yulia Svyrydenko, the country's deputy prime minister and economy minister." [Interview with Al-Jazeera]

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