Last week, the U.S. president changed his stance on Russia by giving Moscow a 50-day ultimatum to adhere to a truce or face harsher sanctions.
According to Trump’s arms plan, which was unveiled a week ago, European countries will use NATO to transfer American weapons to Ukraine, either from their current stockpiles or by purchasing and donating brand-new ones. The president of the United States stated a week ago that delivery would start in a few days and that talks were partially centered on cutting-edge Patriot air defense systems.
However, a number of top officials indicated last week that no transfers had yet occurred.
While U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated he was unable to provide a timeline, NATO’s Grynkewich told The Associated Press on Thursday that preparations are in progress for arms supplies to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Thursday that Germany will provide Ukraine with two new Patriot systems and hinted at the prospect of the United States replacing the systems it now possesses.
However, Merz pointed out that delivery might take some time because they need to be moved and set up, which takes days or even weeks rather than hours.
Switzerland may be able to provide more Patriot systems after the U.S. Defense Department notified its defense minister on Thursday that it will reprioritize the supply of five already ordered systems to aid Ukraine.
A senior NATO official stated that the alliance is still organizing the supply of more military equipment, including temporarily halted U.S. aid, including as ammunition and artillery rounds, while Ukraine awaits Patriots. The official discussed delicate topics while speaking on condition of anonymity.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, stated on Saturday that his staff had suggested holding fresh peace negotiations this week. No date has been set for the negotiations, according to Russian official media on Sunday, but Istanbul is expected to continue serving as the host city. Russia is open to peace with Ukraine, but reaching its objectives is still a top priority, the Kremlin spokesperson stated on Sunday.
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Watch the fight on AP at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
