Tuesday

07-15-2025 Vol 2022

Trump Announces Military Aid to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Russian Bombardment

LONDON — President Donald Trump has announced a substantial package of military assistance to Ukraine as Russia escalates its bombardment of the country. This decision comes in the wake of a series of drone attacks by Russian forces that targeted multiple regions of Ukraine overnight.

Ukraine’s air force revealed that Russian forces launched 267 drones, including approximately 200 Shahed attack drones and a number of decoys. The military claimed to have downed or suppressed around 244 of these drones, though 23 were reported to have impacted in seven separate locations, with debris falling in nine locations.

In retaliation, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its forces had downed at least 70 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe, particularly in the southwestern Voronezh region bordering Ukraine. According to regional governor Aleksandr Gusev, at least 24 people sustained injuries in that area due to the conflict.

As tensions rise, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin would carefully consider Trump’s announcements.

“The U.S. president’s statements are very serious,” Peskov told reporters at a daily briefing. “Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin. We definitely need time to analyze what was said in Washington.”

Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, took a bolder stance, dismissing Trump’s comments as a “theatrical ultimatum.” In a social media post, he claimed, “The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”

The Kremlin also rejected reports that Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether Ukrainian forces could target major Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. The White House confirmed that the topic was indeed discussed, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that “President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing.”

Trump emphasized his commitment to punishing Russia through severe tariffs should a ceasefire not be reached within 50 days. In conversations with reporters, Trump reiterated this timeframe, suggesting that if an agreement is not forthcoming, “tariffs and other sanctions will go on.”

He expressed confidence that significant action would unfold soon, stating, “I don’t think 50 days is very long — and it could be sooner than that.”

During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump highlighted a military aid package worth billions that he had approved for Ukraine. However, specifics regarding this extensive assistance package remain somewhat vague.

Two U.S. defense officials indicated that the Pentagon is in the process of finalizing the military support to be granted to Ukraine. Among the planned aid are 17 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, which will be supplied completely by European allies, who will subsequently purchase replacements from the U.S.

These Patriots systems have been crucial to Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing drone, missile, and airstrikes since their introduction in 2023, with Ukraine currently in possession of at least six systems provided by allied nations.

Trump mentioned that these weapons would be arriving “very soon, within days,” specifically noting that the Patriots would start to come in shortly. His statements reflect growing frustration in the White House regarding Russia’s relentless air assault on Ukraine and its failure to commit to a ceasefire.

On Sunday, Trump remarked on Putin’s contradictory behavior, saying, “He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. There’s a little bit of a problem there.”

The potential impact of Trump’s proposed 100% secondary tariffs on nations engaging in trade with Russia raises questions, particularly since U.S. imports from Russia comprise only about 0.2% of the total imports, as per Census Bureau data.

Secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners, however, could have more substantial implications and potentially provoke retaliatory measures. Countries like China and India are significant importers of Russian fossil fuels, raising concerns about how they might respond.

Despite uncertainties regarding these economic measures, Zelenskyy expressed optimism following a recent discussion with Trump, describing the conversation as “very good.” He thanked Trump for his commitment to supporting Ukraine while working towards peace.

In a social media post, Zelenskyy emphasized, “We discussed with the president the necessary means and solutions to provide more protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions.”

Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament from Zelenskyy’s party, voiced cautious optimism about Trump’s announcements. He suggested that they represent the beginning of a rigorous campaign to apply pressure on Putin.

Merezhko underscored the urgency of delivering maximum military assistance to Ukraine, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing summer offensive. He stressed the need for prompt provision of offensive weaponry such as long-range missiles to counteract the intensity of Russia’s military advances, particularly in the Donetsk and Sumy regions.

U.S. Senators advocating for Ukraine also urged Trump to follow through on his commitment to military support. Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen stated in a statement, “This announcement, by itself, will not be enough to bring Putin to the negotiating table and finally end this war.”

Shaheen continued, “President Trump needs to commit to a sustained flow of security assistance to Ukraine over the long-term and we must move immediately on the tough sanctions package in the Senate, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and will make it harder and harder for Putin to prop up his economy and sustain his illegal war.”

The Senate proposal, championed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, includes secondary sanctions of up to 500% on nations conducting business with Russia. However, Graham noted that it includes provisions to allow Trump to waive sanctions for specific countries.

In a post on X, Graham emphasized Trump’s warning to nations financially supporting Russia’s war efforts, stating, “If I were them, I would take President Trump at his word.”

When asked during a press briefing if he planned to adopt the Senate’s recommendations, Trump responded, “We could do secondary tariffs without the Senate, without the House. But what they’re crafting also could be very good.”

The evolving situation continues to be monitored closely, as President Trump takes actions that could significantly influence the course of the conflict in Ukraine.

image source from:abcnews

Benjamin Clarke