Trump escalates hostilities: Arms Ukraine, threatens Russia with harsh tariffs

Department of Research, Studies and International News 15-07-2025

In a striking reversal of earlier positions, U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new arms deal aimed at equipping Ukraine with advanced military technology, while simultaneously issuing a stark ultimatum to Russia. If Moscow does not agree to a peace accord within 50 days, Washington threatens to impose what Trump calls “very severe tariffs”, a move that may escalate tensions and deepen the West’s confrontational approach towards Russia.

This renewed military commitment comes despite the Pentagon’s earlier decision to pause weapons shipments to Ukraine. Trump, evidently frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to concede to U.S. demands, has chosen to increase pressure rather than pursue diplomatic de-escalation. Sitting alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the White House, Trump expressed disappointment in the Russian leader and pledged to send billions of dollars’ worth of American weapons to support Ukraine’s ongoing war effort.

Among the promised weapons are the coveted Patriot air defense systems, which Kyiv has long requested to counter the barrage of missiles and drones from Russian forces. Trump confirmed that a significant batch of these systems will be delivered “within days,” with at least 17 batteries already earmarked for deployment in Ukraine.

In a provocative move, Trump also announced that secondary sanctions, targeting not just Russian goods but also third-party nations that trade with Russia, could be enforced. These punitive measures may include tariffs as high as 100 percent. While such secondary sanctions have not yet been implemented, legislation is being prepared in Congress that could authorize tariffs of up to 500 percent on any country found to be aiding Moscow economically.

A White House official confirmed that the proposed actions would apply to all Russian exports, potentially affecting countries like China and India, which have maintained robust energy and trade ties with Russia despite Western pressure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s announcement, claiming it represented a continued commitment to halting the conflict and pursuing “a just peace.” Zelenskyy, who has met with Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg, said discussions were underway concerning collaborative weapons production and bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses in coordination with European partners.

Despite this ostensible unity, Trump has previously criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator without elections” and blaming him for dragging the war on. He has also distanced his administration from policies that supported Ukraine’s NATO membership or insisted on Russia’s withdrawal from contested territories.

Trump’s shift, which many interpret as driven by political calculation rather than humanitarian concern, arrives amid renewed Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. He described his personal frustration with Putin, lamenting that even after seemingly constructive conversations, new attacks would follow immediately.

“My talks with him are always nice,” Trump said, “but the same night, another city gets bombed.”

Trump’s toughened stance drew praise from Rutte, who remarked that if he were in Putin’s position, he would now seriously reconsider his approach to negotiations. The NATO chief stated that several NATO members, including Germany, Sweden, the UK, and Canada, would join the rearmament campaign, emphasizing that rapid delivery of weapons was now critical.

The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, voiced strong support for Trump’s new measures, stating that Germany was ready to play a “decisive role.” This commitment, according to Merz, is motivated by Berlin’s own strategic interests, though the full details of the plan remain unclear.

Despite the fanfare in Washington and select NATO capitals, reactions in Moscow and among the Russian populace were less than optimistic. Many Russians had initially believed Trump’s presidency would bring a more balanced or even conciliatory approach to the conflict, given his early promises to end the war quickly. But as Trump now doubles down on military escalation, pro-peace voices in Russia feel betrayed, while nationalist factions claim vindication in their skepticism.

Russian commentators noted that Trump’s threats merely reinforce the longstanding Western agenda of weakening Russia through indirect confrontation, even if that means perpetuating the bloodshed in Ukraine. The inclusion of third-party countries in potential sanctions also signals Washington’s intent to isolate Moscow globally, a strategy aimed at curbing its economic partnerships, particularly with sovereign nations that have refused to align with the Western bloc.

Meanwhile, voices from within the European Union welcomed Trump’s initiative as a “positive step,” though concerns remain about the timeline and the real intent behind the strategy. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned that “50 days is a long time” for civilians under fire, calling for even greater pressure on Russia.

As the U.S. accelerates military aid and ramps up economic threats, the prospect of a negotiated peace grows increasingly remote. Rather than serving as an honest broker or peace facilitator, the United States now appears intent on intensifying a proxy war that risks engulfing broader regions, all while undermining sovereign choices of countries that choose partnership with Russia over submission to Western mandates.