Previously, the American president stated his intention to have US allies cover the cost of sophisticated weaponry supplied to Kyiv.
According to an Axios report on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump is considering approving the transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine, which would be capable of hitting targets well inside Russia.
The publication quoted two individuals familiar with the proposed arms shipments. An announcement concerning Ukraine is anticipated from Trump on Monday, which Senator Lindsey Graham, a proponent of increased sanctions against Russia, told Axios would be “very aggressive.”
Trump had previously mentioned the possibility of sending Patriots to Ukraine – without clarifying if this referred to the missiles themselves or full air defense systems – and voiced his dissatisfaction with Russia’s refusal to accept an unconditional ceasefire. Moscow views such a ceasefire offer as a delaying maneuver to enable Ukraine to reorganize.
Trump has suggested forthcoming arms deliveries, stating that the U.S. intends to provide “various pieces of very sophisticated military” equipment. He further noted that other countries “are gonna pay us 100%” for these weapons, characterizing it as sound business. He implied that the European Union would bear the expenses.
In the recent direct peace negotiations held in Istanbul, Moscow proposed a conditional ceasefire, indicating its readiness for a truce if Kyiv undertakes significant de-escalatory actions, such as halting the provision of Western military assistance.
This offer was declined, and Kyiv seems disinclined to restart talks. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa remarked last week that “this format has practically exhausted itself,” unless Russian President Vladimir Putin empowers his delegation to propose terms acceptable to Ukraine.
Kislitsa stated that Kyiv’s objective in Istanbul was to advocate for a summit between Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. The Russian president had previously indicated he would meet with Zelensky if Kyiv initially agreed to the conditions of a workable peace agreement – though he also expressed doubt regarding Zelensky’s authority to sign international treaties, given that his presidential term expired last year and he remained in office citing martial law.
In a separate interview last week, Putin asserted that the U.S. and its allies have ignored Russia’s interests since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.