Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that it should not be Europe, but Russia itself, using its frozen assets, that pays for American weapons for Ukraine. He made this comment in response to the new US and NATO initiative to rearm Kyiv, PAP reports.

“I asked my fellow foreign ministers: Who should pay for American equipment? Should it be European taxpayers, or, in my opinion, should the aggressor pay for it using its frozen funds?” Sikorski said following a meeting of EU foreign ministers. 

He voiced support for Trump’s new plan with a 50-day deadline: if Russia does not end the war within this period, the US will impose tough sanctions on Moscow and its partners.

“We hope that this 50-day window before potential US sanctions is a time to increase pressure on the Russian Federation so that it finally comes to its senses,” the Polish foreign minister emphasized.

Sikorski also noted his approval of Washington’s new stance on the war, adding that he is pleased the US president has now reached the same conclusions that EU countries had drawn earlier.

Earlier, Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, said that the timeline of a 50-day ultimatum to Putin for Ukraine peace talks is too long, as civilians die daily.

Also, Trump did not clarify what would happen if Russia refuses to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine. Meanwhile, the deadline coincides with the timeframe reportedly shared by Putin during a recent conversation, in which he stated that Moscow plans to escalate military operations in eastern Ukraine. This effectively gives Putin 1,5 months to continue killing Ukrainian civilians.

US President Donald Trump may arm Ukraine in response to Russia’s largest drone and missile assault since the start of the full-scale invasion, CBS reports, citing multiple diplomatic sources. According to the sources, the potential funding is aimed at sending a message to Russia following recent aerial attacks. This week saw Russia’s largest drone assaults since February 2022. Kyiv and several other cities suffered repeated strikes.

A White House official told CBS the administration had recently paused some weapons deliveries as part of a global review of arms transfers. Still, earlier this week, Trump hinted he intended to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine.

$3.85 billion in military aid could be reactivated

US officials told CBS News that $3.85 billion in unused presidential drawdown authority from the Biden era remains available. Trump may now use that fund to deliver American military equipment to Ukraine.

Former officials also noted that Trump has the power to seize around $5 billion in frozen Russian assets and redirect those funds to Ukraine. So far, neither Trump nor former President Joe Biden has exercised that authority.

From arms freeze to new shipments: policy shift follows Russian escalation

Earlier this year, Trump expressed skepticism about aid to Ukraine and urged both Ukraine and Russia to pursue a peace agreement. He has often criticized the scale of American military spending on the war.

But his tone changed sharply in recent days. Last week, Trump told reporters he was “very disappointed” after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a Cabinet meeting on 8 July, he confirmed a shift in stance.

“Putin is not treating human beings right. He’s killing too many people,” Trump said. “So we’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that.”

Trump says NATO will buy US weapons for Ukraine

As Euromaidan Press reported earlier, Trump is also pushing for NATO allies to take on more responsibility, and purchase weapons for Ukraine from the US.

“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%,” Trump told NBC.

Diplomatic sources told CBS News that Trump spoke with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte about European countries purchasing US-made equipment for Ukraine. 

When asked about the NATO initiative on 11 July in Malaysia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the logic behind the idea:

“At the end of the day, some of the systems that Ukraine requires are systems that Europe doesn’t make. They would have to purchase them from the United States,” Rubio said.