US President Donald Trump announced a new deal to supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, with the alliance fully funding the transfers.1 He also stated he would make a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, July 14, amid his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war.2 This marks the first time Trump has personally authorized weapons for Kyiv since returning to office, utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority for an estimated US$300 million in arms, potentially including Patriot missiles.3

The announcement came as Russia launched heavy airstrikes on Ukraine, killing two and wounding 26, ahead of a reconstruction conference in Rome. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to use Russian assets for rebuilding and called for more weapons and joint defense production.4 The Rome conference secured over €10 billion (RM51 billion) in aid pledges for Ukraine's reconstruction.5

Concurrently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held "frank" talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing the need for Russia to show more flexibility towards ending the conflict and discussing potential new sanctions on Russia