Trump says he is 'disappointed' in Russia, hints at making 'big statement' on Monday

US President Donald Trump said that he is ‘disappointed’ in Russia, hinting at a “major statement” he is preparing to make on Monday. While speaking to NBC News, Trump expressed his discontent over the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine . He also mentioned that Washington, DC, is preparing to send more American weapons to Ukraine via purchases from NATO allies.

“I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump told NBC News in a telephone interview on Thursday. The Potus went on to reiterate his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin over the country’s continued attack on Ukraine.

He also insisted that he is expecting the US Senate to pass a tougher sanctions bill against Russia. Interestingly, once such a bill has been sponsored by Trump’s longtime ally, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. “It’s at my option if I want to use it,” Trump said of the measure. “They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it.

Trump sends help to Ukraine via NATO

While speaking to NBC News, Trump emphasised that he and NATO leaders had reached an agreement in which allies would pay for US arms that would be then sent to Ukraine. “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 per cent,” he told the American news outlet.

“So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons, and NATO is paying for those weapons," he added. Interestingly, Trump also mentioned that he was unaware of a pause ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth halting the distribution of a planned weapons shipment to Ukraine.

It is pertinent to note that the remarks from Trump came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with his Russian counterpart , Sergey Lavrov, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Kuala Lumpur.

The talks between the two foreign ministers came at a time when Russia has been pounding Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with record numbers of drones and missiles, leading Trump to express his mounting frustration with Putin in recent days.