Bogdan Frolov06:43, 16.10.25

4 min.3800

However, the United States expects support from its European allies.

US President Donald Trump is working on creating a Ukraine Victory Fund, which will be financed by new tariffs on China. He instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss this plan with his European counterparts ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington on Friday, October 17.

The American leader, who previously claimed that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have the cards” for a military victory, is increasingly losing patience with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, and his proposal to change the approach to the war in Ukraine is a noticeable shift in position, writes The Telegraph .

This rhetoric was also echoed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated at a meeting of NATO defense ministers that the United States is ready to support Kyiv “in a way that only the United States can” if Russia continues to avoid peace talks.

The media reports that discussions in Brussels focused on the possible supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and the financing of the country’s armed resistance as the full-scale war approaches its fourth year.

“Trump has instructed the ambassador and me to inform our European allies that we support the idea of ​​imposing—call it what you will—a ‘tariff on Russian oil’ on China or a ‘victory tariff’ on China. But our Ukrainian and European allies must be prepared to join in. We will respond if our European partners join us,” Bessent told reporters.

The strategy is reported to impose a 500% tariff on imports from China, with the proceeds to be used to arm the Ukrainian army. The plan is intended to exert maximum economic pressure on Putin, whose military machine depends on Chinese support, to force him to negotiate with Trump and Zelensky.

Journalists note that the idea of ​​imposing sanctions against China for purchasing Russian oil previously met with resistance from European governments. And although NATO has labeled Beijing a “key accomplice” in Russia’s war, many alliance countries, including the UK, have refused to consider China an enemy.

Armament for Ukraine

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal informed his allies that Ukraine would need $120 billion to finance another year of resistance in 2026. At a meeting at NATO headquarters, co-chaired by the United Kingdom, the discussion focused on raising half of this amount, which, according to Shmyhal, Kyiv’s allies should provide.

The second “important topic” was the supply of long-range missiles. “Their name is known to everyone,” he added. Media outlets report that European NATO sources have stated their support for the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which will give the country the ability to strike Russian targets far behind the front lines, but acknowledge that the decision depends entirely on the US President. Shmyhal noted that such a decision cannot be made at a meeting of NATO defense ministers and must be personally approved by Trump and Zelenskyy.

If Trump agrees, European countries will likely have to pay for supplies and training through NATO’s Purl program, which transfers American weapons to Ukraine at the expense of European governments.

Allied Support – Latest News

UNIAN previously reported that military aid to Ukraine had been cut by more than half . Arms deliveries to Kyiv increased sharply in the first half of 2025, as Europe attempted to fill the vacuum left by America’s “retreat.” But the momentum faded in the summer.

We also reported that, according to Hegseth, the US will make Russia pay dearly if it doesn’t end its war against Ukraine. “If we are forced to take this step, the US Department of War is prepared to do its part in a way only the US can,” he emphasized.

(C)UNIAN 2025