President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 13, announced that Washington will provide Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv and hinted at new sanctions on Russia, once again expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s prolonged war in Ukraine.

Trump’s pledge of crucial weapons support came shortly after he teased a “major statement… on Russia” expected Monday. That announcement could coincide with a busy diplomatic day, as the US special envoy heads to Ukraine and Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than three years, with Moscow intensifying strikes this summer while US-led negotiations have yet to produce a breakthrough.

“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after returning from the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.

“I haven’t agreed on the number yet, but they’re going to have some because they do need protection.”

The White House’s decision reverses its earlier position this month to pause certain arms deliveries to Kyiv. Under the new arrangement, NATO is expected to finance part of the weapons package by paying the US directly.

“We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military and they’re going to pay us 100 percent for them,” Trump said. “It’ll be business for us.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said Kyiv was “close to reaching a multi-level agreement on new Patriot systems and missiles.”

Meanwhile, Trump again aired his disappointment with Putin.

“Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said, clearly exasperated.

When he returned to the White House in January, Trump had voiced optimism about working with Putin to end the conflict and initially resisted increasing sanctions, unlike America’s European allies. But Russia has continued to reject US-backed ceasefire proposals.

Now, momentum is building in Congress for tougher measures. On Sunday, when pressed about possible new sanctions on Russia, Trump replied, “We’re going to see what we will see tomorrow, OK?” referencing his upcoming meeting with NATO’s Rutte.

Earlier in the day, US senators promoted a bipartisan bill that would equip Trump with sweeping powers to impose severe sanctions on Russia.

“It would give President Trump the ability to impose 500 percent tariffs on any country that helps Russia,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on CBS News, citing possible targets like China, India, or Brazil. “This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war.”

Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who will also meet with Rutte on Monday, said the bill could let the US seize frozen Russian assets in Europe and America to support Ukraine.

“The $5 billion that the United States has also could be accessed, and I think it’s time to do it,” Blumenthal added.

President Zelensky welcomed the proposal on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty.”

Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly injured by an Israeli airstrike that targeted a high-level meeting in Tehran during last month’s 12-day conflict, according to Iranian state media.

Pezeshkian, who recently accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him, was among several top officials gathered on June 16 at an underground facility in Tehran for an emergency session of the Supreme National Security Council, the Fars news agency reported.

During the meeting, six bombs struck the facility. Pezeshkian is said to have sustained a leg injury as he and others escaped through an emergency shaft. The strikes were described as extremely precise, blocking all six main entry and exit points along with the ventilation system and cutting power to the site. Despite the damage, Pezeshkian and other officials managed to get out alive.

The incident sheds more light on comments Pezeshkian made last week in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Asked whether he was the target of an assassination attempt, Pezeshkian replied: “They did try, yes. They acted accordingly, but they failed. I was in a meeting… thanks to the intelligence by the spies that they had, they tried to bombard the area in which we were holding that meeting.”

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has denied any attempt at regime change, insisting that the 12-day offensive focused solely on crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. During the conflict, Israel carried out strikes across Tehran, eliminating several high-ranking Iranian commanders and damaging critical facilities.

Iranian authorities have since launched an internal investigation into how Israeli intelligence uncovered the president’s movements and the location of the security council meeting. The fallout has included a sweeping nationwide crackdown on suspected espionage networks, with over 700 arrests and at least six people reportedly killed, according to officials and human rights groups.

The Supreme National Security Council is Iran’s most powerful decision-making body after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was also believed to have been a target during the war before disappearing into hiding.

Following the devastating flood along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, which has resulted in at least 120 deaths and 173 missing persons, philanthropic support for humanitarian aid and disaster relief has begun to pour in. Several organizations and individuals have committed significant funds to support the relief efforts.

Grocery store chain H-E-B, the Butt family, and the H.E. Butt Foundation have announced commitments totaling $5 million, with $2 million directed to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund established by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country (CFTHC).

Other notable contributions include $3 million from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, $1 million from Kerrville jeweler James Avery, and $100,000 from the San Antonio-based Whataburger restaurant chain. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation has donated $100,000 to Global Empowerment Mission, while Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, have committed $1 million through their family foundation

Corporate support has also been significant, with Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo each contributing $1 million. Ford Motor Company, its foundation, and Texas dealerships have committed $1.25 million, while Toyota Motor North America and its Texas dealerships have donated $600,000.

Several professional sports franchises have also made contributions, including Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, which have each committed $1 million. The National Basketball Association and the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets have committed a combined $2 million.

On the GoFundMe platform, over 150 campaigns have raised more than $1 million, demonstrating the power of community-driven fundraising efforts. As the relief efforts continue, these philanthropic commitments will play a vital role in supporting those affected by the flood.