By Janet Ekstract, NEW YORK – Monday was a pivotal day for both the EU and the U.S. as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with U.S. President Donald Trump and his team at the White House in the Oval Office to discuss the situation with Russia and Ukraine. The two leaders held a joint press conference where Rutte praised Trump, saying: “You did exactly what I hoped you would do,” in referring to Trump first talking to Putin in an attempt to end the war in Ukraine. The NATO leader added: “You had to test him and you went to the table for negotiation” further stating “You were the only one who started that process and you had to do that.” Meanwhile, Trump praised Rutte and European countries for agreeing to spend five percent of their budgets on defense going forward rather than the two percent they had previously committed to. As Rutte reiterated: “This is again Europeans stepping up,’ and he said he has been in touch with “many countries, they all want to be part of this.” The NATO leader emphasized this is just the “first phase” and that EU nations “will make sure” that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself. The plan is for the EU to purchase military equipment from the U.S. and for that to be immediately sent to Ukraine for defense. Rutte said, “The EU is paying for it” and that “countries will move equipment fast into Ukraine.” Though Rutte added that the “U.S. has to make sure the U.S. has what it need. The U.S. has decided to massively supply Ukraine with the EU totally on board to pay for it.”
Meanwhile, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said: “My conversations are always very pleasant and then the missiles go off that night.” He added: “I don’t want to say he’s an assassin but he’s a tough guy and he’s fooled a lot of people over the years but he didn’t fool me.” On getting a peace deal going, Trump reiterated on Putin: “He knows the deal, if there is such a thing as a fair deal, adding “Ukraine was the apple of his eye, but it wasn’t going to happen.” Praising the EU, Trump said: “Europe has a lot of spirit for this war, it’s amazing.” But he reemphasized that though it’s crucial to defend Ukraine – “We can’t keep doing this,” referring to continuing to pay for all Ukraine’s military needs. When asked about sanctions, Trump replied that he’s giving Russia 50 days to come to the table for negotiations on an end to the war, adding “Secondary tariffs are very, very powerful” and said “The Republicans are moving very strongly in the Senate” on this issue. The tariffs are expected to take effect right after the 50-day mark ends and Trump said Ukraine will get Patriots as well as any and all other advanced military assistance “with batteries” and a “full complement of military equipment to Ukraine.” The U.S. leader added that “One country has 17 Patriots ready to be shipped,” without revealing which nation that is.
Trump praised Ukraine for being “courageous” while reiterating how bad Russia’s economy is because of the war. He also said he is “unhappy” with Putin and made it clear: “This is not Trump’s war, we’re here to try and get it finished and settled.” Trump also concurred with the viewpoint of EU leaders and NATO that “Ultimately, having a strong Europe is a very good thing.”
