US Ambassador to NATO Urges Russia to End Ukraine Conflict

Matthew Whitaker, the US Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has urged Russia to end its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, asserting that US President Donald Trump has "more cards to play" to pressure Moscow.

Whitaker indicated that Trump might impose new sanctions on Russia and that $2 billion worth of American weapons are slated to arrive in Ukraine in the coming months.

"Right now, we've built a system where the commitments continue to move forward. You know, we probably have another $2 billion or more coming online in the next couple of months," Whitaker said in an interview Tuesday. "We're very confident that will happen quickly. We have a foreign ministers' meeting in early December where that's likely to be finalized."

He continued: "Then, moving into 2026, the key is sustainable support. The key is that Ukraine needs $12 or $15 billion of key military equipment to defend itself and to continue fighting on the front lines, and that money will be raised. And it will be American weapons."

However, the $12 to $15 billion that Whitaker suggested the West might provide to Ukraine next year is dwarfed by the needs Kyiv has stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained in September that "as of today, the cost of this conflict is a challenge for us, a year is $120 billion, of which $60 billion comes from the Ukrainian budget. I need to raise another $60 billion for next year."

Zelenskyy also pointed out this week that he needs stable European financial support for the next two to three years to continue confronting Russia.

According to Agence France-Presse, Zelenskyy said: "I repeat this to all European leaders. We are not planning to fight for decades, but you have to prove that you are capable of providing Ukraine with stable financial support for a period of time." He added: "That is why they have this plan—for two to three years," referring to the EU's plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine for several years. Zelenskyy specified that the funds would be used for reconstruction or to buy more weapons.

"If the conflict ends in a month, we will use this money for restoration. If it does not end in a month, but after a while, then we will use it for weapons. We simply have no other option," the Ukrainian leader said.

Trump Has More Cards to Play Against Russia

The US ambassador to NATO also touted Trump's recent imposition of sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies. He hinted that Trump may add more sanctions or increase military support to Ukraine in the future. "President Trump has all the cards; this is just one card that he's played, and there are many behind it," Whitaker said.

Russia Appears Weak

In a separate interview with Fox News, the US ambassador claimed Russia is weak and should end the conflict as soon as possible. "The Russians should end this pointless conflict as soon as possible—it's not going to get better for them. Trump will continue to play those cards, like these significant oil sanctions." He added: "When Trump called them a paper tiger, the Russians expressed dissatisfaction. But at every turn, the Russians have not projected strength—they look very weak right now."

Initiative to Fund US Weapon Purchases for Ukraine

Under a new NATO initiative called the "Ukraine Priority Needs List," America's European allies are pledging to purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine. However, according to a report by the Kiel Institute, military aid to Ukraine has declined sharply since the program was launched.

Zelenskyy also acknowledged on Tuesday that Russian forces have entered the city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, which Russian forces have been advancing on for months.

"There are about 200 Russian soldiers distributed in different locations in the area—we saw this through drones. Pokrovsk is currently the main target of the Russians," he said.

Ukraine Plans to Expand Attacks Inside Russia

A day earlier, Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine would expand its attacks inside Russia, focusing on oil refineries. While the US has not pledged to provide Ukraine with "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, media reports indicate that the US has recently expanded its support for long-range strikes by providing intelligence for attacks inside Russia.