Trump Hosts NATO Chief as U.S. and Europe Reach Ukraine Weapons Deal, Firestorm Over Russia Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 14, 2025 — President Donald Trump welcomed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to the White House on Monday to announce a major new agreement: European countries will purchase U.S. weapons to send to Ukraine. The move marks a new phase of transatlantic military coordination amid ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
In a bold warning, Trump said he would impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia—up to 100%—if no peace deal is reached within 50 days, escalating pressure on Moscow to end the war.
Incident Temporarily Disrupts White House Lawn
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On Tuesday, Secret Service abruptly cleared the North Lawn moments before Education Secretary Linda McMahon was set to appear on Fox News. Officers directed media and staff to the press briefing room as a precaution. The situation was quickly resolved, and the area was reopened shortly after.
Trump-Zelenskyy Call Sparks Debate Over Moscow Strike Discussion
The White House confirmed that President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of striking Moscow or St. Petersburg using U.S.-supplied weapons, but pushed back against claims that Trump was promoting the action.
“President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, criticizing a Financial Times report for allegedly taking the conversation “wildly out of context.”
Federal Court Temporarily Blocks End of TPS for Afghans
In a separate development, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 12,000 Afghan nationals. The court’s ruling came just hours before protections were set to expire.
This pause gives Afghan TPS holders a brief reprieve while the administration must file its response by July 16. The decision follows widespread outcry from advocacy groups and lawmakers, who argue that many of those affected assisted U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.