During a Thursday phone interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, Trump did not hold back: “I’m not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now, because he’s killing a lot of people — his soldiers and their soldiers, mostly. It’s now up to 7,000 a week.”

Weapon Shipments to Ukraine: Confusion and Contradictions

Trump confirmed that he had recently approved the shipment of “defensive weapons” to Ukraine, asserting that the humanitarian toll of Putin’s offensive could no longer be tolerated. This comes amid reports of a brief pause in U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine — a pause that Trump appeared unaware of during the interview.

“I don’t know [who paused the shipments]. Why don’t you tell me?” Trump retorted when asked about the halt, reportedly ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Analysts suggest the lack of coordination signals broader issues within the current national security infrastructure. The interruption reportedly affected a key shipment, including Patriot missiles and Hellfire systems, held up in Poland just as Russian drone strikes intensified.

A New NATO Deal?

Adding to the policy puzzle, Trump disclosed a new agreement with NATO in which the alliance would fund U.S.-provided weapons for Ukraine “100%.” The claim, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in NATO's direct financial involvement in arming Ukraine.

This revelation also comes on the heels of conflicting messaging between the Pentagon and the White House over weapons logistics — a scenario foreign affairs commentators warn could have strategic consequences on the battlefield.

“If you’re Ukraine and you don’t know when the next shipment is arriving, you have to make major battlefield decisions based on incomplete information,” noted The Atlantic’s Nancy Youssef, citing the operational risks of such gaps in coordination.

A Warning to Moscow?

Trump’s renewed criticism of Putin, laced with emotional exasperation, represents a noticeable departure from his historically ambivalent or even conciliatory tone toward the Kremlin.

His message arrives at a time of heightened Russian bombardment. Defense experts suggest Putin may be accelerating his summer offensive ahead of potential policy changes in Washington, fearing a possible return of Trump to the White House with firmer expectations.

“This is peak fighting season. But Putin may also be sensing he’s running out of runway,” said MSNBC analyst Christina Ruffini. “He’s trying to get as much as possible done before the tides in U.S. policy shift again.”

The Kremlin Responds

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov issued a typically reserved statement, saying Russia remained "calm" about Trump's comments and was still "committed to fixing the broken U.S.-Russia relationship." Analysts interpreted the response as both measured and strategic, reflecting Moscow's tight-lipped diplomatic style.

“The Russians are always on message. You don’t see this kind of chaotic signaling from Moscow,” Ruffini remarked, contrasting Russia's state discipline with the U.S. government's recent national security missteps.

Awaiting Monday’s “Major Statement”

With Trump promising a “major statement on Russia” to come Monday, the geopolitical community is bracing for clarity — or further confusion — on America’s path forward in dealing with both the Kremlin and the evolving war in Ukraine.

Whether it brings new policy commitments or a reshaped doctrine remains to be seen. But as weapon shipments stall, drone attacks rise, and international alliances recalibrate, Trump’s sharp rebuke of Putin signals that the former president is reentering the global stage with renewed attention to Eastern Europe — and possibly a different playbook.