Donald Trump is set to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday after hinting at a "major announcement" on Russia, possibly signalling increased sanctions.
As relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin continue to sour, the U.S. President announced on Sunday that the United States would send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, crucial for Kyiv’s defence against Russian strikes.
Diplomatic activities are expected to intensify on Monday with a meeting scheduled between the U.S. President and NATO’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte, at 22:00 local time (16:00. GMT) in the Oval Office, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
American envoy Keith Kellogg is also set to begin a new visit to Ukraine on the same day.
According to Trump, the delivery of weapons by Washington will be part of a deal in which NATO will compensate the United States for arms that will be dispatched to Ukraine.
"We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need," stated Donald Trump, adding that the number is yet to be decided, but emphasising the necessity of providing protection.
"We’re actually going to send them a variety of very sophisticated military equipment, and they will pay us 100% for it," he told reporters.
This announcement marks a reversal, occurring two weeks after Washington had announced the suspension of certain arms deliveries to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he had a phone conversation with his American counterpart, during which they agreed to "strengthen the protection" of Ukrainian skies following another massive Russian drone and missile assault.
A new attack has injured at least three people in the Dnipro district, reported Dnipropetrovsk region governor Sergii Lysak on Telegram Monday morning.
On Sunday night, Trump was heavily booed from sections of the crowd at MetLife Stadium near New York on Sunday, where he was presenting the trophy for the Club World Cup following the Chelsea-PSG final
