Trump flags ‘bit of a problem’ with Putin ahead of big announcement on Ukraine

KYIV — U.S. President Donald Trump continues shifting his stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, signaling a big announcement Monday that could see Washington send offensive as well as defensive weapons to Kyiv.

But while American arms will flow to Ukraine, Trump insisted that the EU will have to pay for them, in comments he made ahead of separate visits by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to Washington on Monday.

“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump told journalists at the Andrews military base on Sunday. “We did not agree on the number yet, but they are going to have some. But the European Union is paying for it. We’re not paying for anything. This will be business for us.”

Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. “You know, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said. But he’ll talk so beautifully, and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that.”

“There’s a little bit of a problem there,” he added.

Putin has increased attacks on Ukraine over the summer, deploying more than 500 drones and missiles almost daily. He has also ignored Trump’s calls for a ceasefire, while Kyiv has agreed to one if Russia stops attacking Ukraine.

NATO’s Rutte is scheduled to meet with Trump as well as with his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday.

The American president, increasingly irritated by Putin’s ongoing barrage of Ukraine, last week told NBC News he might have “a major statement to make on Russia on Monday.” Commentators expect Trump’s announcement will coincide with his Rutte meeting, with Axios reporting the president is expected to announce plans that include providing Ukraine with offensive weapons that can strike deep into Russia.

Germany’s Pistorius is due to hold his own meeting with Hegseth, during which he is expected to revisit his proposal for Berlin to buy two additional Patriot systems for Ukraine.

“A turning point regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine is coming,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is behind a proposal to impose “bone-crushing” tariffs on Russian exports. “For months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the peace table. He has left the door open regarding Russia. That door is about to close,” he added.

Graham hinted that frozen Russian foreign assets could be used to fund weapons purchases for Ukraine. “Stay tuned about seized assets,” he said. “Stay tuned for a plan for America to begin to sell a tremendous amount of weapons to Europe.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Ukraine on Monday for a week-long official visit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed his army and intelligence commanders to prepare full reports about the situation on the frontline and also Russia’s plans for Kellogg, the Ukrainian president announced Sunday evening. “The information will be complete. We also count on America’s full understanding of what can be done to force Russia to make peace,” Zelenskyy said.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct the names of NATO’s secretary-general and Germany’s defense minister.