Saying 'let down' by Putin, Trump seals $780mn arms deal with Poland

US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he felt “let down” by the Kremlin leader as he secured a $780 million arms deal with Poland.

On the final day of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles III, Trump held a one-hour press conference during which he also met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

In a notable shift on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump downplayed NATO’s role and accused Russia of prolonging the war.

“He (Putin) would have never done what he did, except that he didn’t respect the leadership of the United States,” the US president said. 

Previously, Trump had claimed a close relationship with Putin, blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the conflict, and suggested a truce was possible “because of my relationship with President Putin.”

His latest comments, however, singled out Russia as the aggressor and placed the blame squarely on Putin.

$780 million arms deal with Poland

The United States has approved an arms sale to Poland valued at approximately $780 million, according to a statement released Thursday by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The proposed deal includes 2,506 FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missiles and 253 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units, pending final approval by Congress.

The Polish government requested the missile systems as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities. Poland is a key NATO member located on the alliance’s eastern flank.

Javelin missiles are portable, shoulder-fired weapons designed to engage armored vehicles, fortified positions, and low-flying aircraft.

The announcement of the arms sale to Poland comes amid heightened tensions following recent accusations from Poland and NATO of Russian violations of Polish airspace.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had “no intentions to engage any targets on the territory of Poland” and expressed readiness to hold consultations with Polish officials.

Poland has cited its geographic proximity to Russia to justify accelerating its military modernization.

Ukraine deal evades high-stakes Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

American and Russian presidents emerge from a high-stakes summit in Alaska, declaring the talks “productive,” but without securing a deal for Ukraine.

Last month, the United States secured $1.5 billion in arms sales to Ukraine, supported by European pledges, shortly before a Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, which failed to produce a peace agreement.

The high-stakes Alaska talks ended with both leaders calling the meeting “productive,” but no deal was reached on Ukraine.

Trump’s new stance was welcomed by British officials aiming to isolate Russia on the world stage. Starmer said pressure from Trump was key to pushing Putin, adding, “It’s only when the president has put pressure on Putin that he’s actually shown any inclination to move.”

Starmer also said the two discussed ways to strengthen defenses to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Putin to reach a lasting peace deal.

European leaders have since traveled to Washington to discuss a new peace agreement with Trump.

Trump highlighted European and Indian imports of Russian oil, saying, “If the price of oil comes down, Putin is going to drop out. He’s going to have no choice. He’s going to drop out of that war.”

India has rejected calls from the US and NATO to stop buying Russian oil, emphasizing its sovereignty and national interest.

Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022, aiming to “liberate, demilitarize, and denazify” Russian-speaking regions. The conflict has seen the U.S. and Europe back Ukraine with weapons, financial aid, and sanctions against Moscow.

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