By Nandita Bose and Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a plan on Monday to rearm Ukraine with missiles and other weaponry in its fight to fend off Russian invaders and warned of severe tariffs if Moscow will not end the war.
The announcement by the two leaders followed weeks of frustration on the part of Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his refusal to make an agreement to end the conflict. Ukraine Presisdent Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made frequent appeals to Trump and NATO leaders for more weapons.
Under the deal, Trump said the United States will supply weapons that will be paid for by NATO countries. Rutte said massive numbers of weapons would be sent, including missiles, as part of a first wave of equipment.
Trump said the equipment, including a Patriot missile system, would be arriving very soon.
Trump also said he would impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia if no deal is made in 50 days. Congressional leaders have been working on a Russia sanctions package.
“If I was Vladimir Putin today, and you’re speaking about what you are planning to do in 50 days… I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte said.
Trump has been reluctant to punish Russia, but he came away from a recent phone call with Putin disappointed that the Russian leader appeared prepared to continue the war.
(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )
