U.S. President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News on Thursday that he will deliver a “major statement” on Russia on Monday, 14 July, without disclosing details. The President added he is “disappointed in Russia” after overnight drone strikes damaged a maternity hospital in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, injuring nine people. Trump also disclosed that Washington has struck a deal under which U.S. weapons will be channelled to NATO, which will pay for them “one hundred percent,” and the alliance will then transfer the arms to Ukraine. He cited Patriot air-defence batteries as an example of equipment that could move under the arrangement, signalling the first direct U.S. provision of new weaponry to Kyiv since he returned to office. The initiative marks a shift in Trump’s approach to the war, coming as Congress debates bipartisan legislation that could compel tougher sanctions on Moscow. While the President did not link Monday’s forthcoming announcement to specific measures, he told reporters on Friday, “You’ll be seeing things happening,” when asked about additional steps against Russia. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the government is “waiting to understand exactly what President Trump means” by the promised statement. Russian officials have recorded all recent U.S. comments on the conflict, Peskov added, indicating heightened attention ahead of Monday’s disclosure.