President Donald Trump said he will make a “major statement” about Russia next Monday. He also confirmed that the United States will send more weapons to Ukraine, but this time through purchases made by NATO allies.

In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump said, “I think I'll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday.” He repeated his strong criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing attacks on Ukraine.

Trump said he expects the Senate to soon pass a new and tougher sanctions bill on Russia. The bill is sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s close allies.
"It's at my option if I want to use it," Trump said about the bill. "They're going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it's up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it."

Trump explained that NATO will fully pay for the weapons the US sends. He said the weapons will first go to NATO, and then NATO will provide them to Ukraine.
"We're sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%," Trump said. "So what we're doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons, and NATO is paying for those weapons."

When asked, Trump said he didn’t know about a pause in arms shipments ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump’s announcement comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Russia has recently increased drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. This has added to Trump’s frustration with Putin.

The new US weapons being sent include air-defence missiles, artillery shells, and other military equipment.

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