WASHINGTON. July 11 – U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will make a “major statement” on Russia next Monday, signaling a potential shift in his administration’s stance amid growing frustration with Vladimir Putin and an escalation in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump called the Russian president “crazy” and accused him of talking “bulls—,” underscoring rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.

“I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump said, offering no further detail. However, the announcement may align with a sanctions package drafted by pro-Ukraine Senator Lindsey Graham, which is expected to reach Congress in the coming days.

In the same interview, Trump confirmed his administration would send its first weapons package to Ukraine, marking a notable development in U.S. policy. He said the deal was being structured through NATO to ensure allied cost-sharing.

“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, a hundred percent,” Trump told NBC, adding that NATO would then distribute the arms to Ukraine. The first batch reportedly includes Patriot air defense systems, long sought by Kyiv.

Earlier Thursday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed he had spoken to Trump and said the alliance was working with partners to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. “I’ve just spoken with President Trump & am now working closely with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need,” Rutte posted on X.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also speaking Thursday, said Washington was in talks with European countries about potentially reallocating incoming shipments of Patriot systems to Ukraine. “There are other opportunities. It’d be great if one of [these countries] volunteered to defer that shipment and send it to Ukraine instead,” Rubio said.

The U.S. president’s remarks come as pressure mounts on his administration to provide additional support to Ukraine amid intensified Russian aerial assaults. While acknowledging the high cost of advanced systems like the Patriots, Trump said, “They would like it, they’ve asked for it. We’re gonna have to take a look at it.

”Trump’s expected statement Monday could offer greater clarity on sanctions, weapons flows, or further policy realignment as Russia’s war in Ukraine enters a critical phase. (nbc/cnn/ez)