NATO chief Rutte heads to Washington as potential changes to Ukraine arms policy loom
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with U.S. President Trump about American arms deliveries to Ukraine, as expectations grow over a possible policy reversal, NOS reports.
According to NOS's NATO sources, Rutte and Trump are scheduled to discuss Trump’s proposal that NATO member states begin funding U.S.-supplied weapons for Ukraine. Under this plan, European allies would also be responsible for taking possession of the weapons and ensuring they are delivered to Ukrainian forces.
Trump has announced he will make a “major announcement” about Russia on Monday. It is not yet clear if the statement will address the weapons.
In addition to meeting Trump, Rutte will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth. He is also expected to meet members of Congress during his visit to Washington.
NOS NATO correspondent Kysia Hekster noted that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and European NATO members have repeatedly urged the United States to resume and expand weapons deliveries that were common under President Biden. Until recently, Trump had halted American military aid to Ukraine twice, resisting calls to increase shipments.
“If new weapons deliveries are indeed being considered, this would represent a clear shift in U.S. policy,” Hekster said in NOS's article. “The United States has weapons systems that European countries do not possess, such as the Patriot air defense systems, which are vital for Ukraine.”
Discussions have been underway for some time about European NATO nations taking on the financial burden of these systems. Hekster added that the fact NATO itself plans to coordinate additional military support indicates that the United States may want to reframe its efforts to aid Ukraine. “Whether Trump’s patience with President Putin has really run out, we may hear tomorrow when he makes his ‘big announcement,’” she said.
Last Monday, Trump stated that the United States will send more weapons to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia. “We are going to send some more weapons. We have to,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “They need to be able to defend themselves.” He emphasized that the deliveries would mainly consist of defensive weapons.
The remarks came just a week after the Pentagon halted planned weapons shipments to Ukraine, citing concerns that U.S. stockpiles were becoming too depleted. When asked who had ordered the pause, Trump told reporters he did not know.
