President Donald Trump’s meeting on Monday with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte marks more than a diplomatic courtesy. It signals a sharp, strategic shift in the U.S. posture toward Russia’s war against Ukraine—one that replaces hesitation with resolve, passive support with deterrent action, and vague calls for peace with a clear doctrine: peace through strength.

Over the past week, the Trump administration has taken several bold steps. First, after briefly pausing military shipments amid a Pentagon inventory review, the president confirmed that the U.S. will resume sending Patriot missile systems to Ukraine -- air defense platforms capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. These systems are vital, as they are the only defense Ukraine currently possesses against such threats. More importantly, Trump signaled that the United States is now willing to provide offensive weapons as well, marking a clear escalation in America’s role.

That alone would mark a major change. But what elevates today’s developments into a true turning point is how Trump is structuring the deal: the United States will sell sophisticated military equipment to NATO allies, who will then transfer it to Ukraine. In his own words: "We’re going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military [equipment], and they’re going to pay us 100 percent. It’ll be business for us."

TRUMP, RUTTE ANNOUNCE 'REALLY BIG' NATO ARMS PACKAGE AMID NEW 50 DAY DEADLINE TO PUTIN

Now to be clear, President Joe Biden previously promised to send offensive weapons -- specifically M1A1 Abrams tanks -- to Ukraine. So, this is not a shift in intent, but rather a shift in strategy. What’s new, and smart, is the mechanism: Trump’s NATO-centered transfer system streamlines delivery, shares financial responsibility, and empowers the alliance to take ownership of regional security. That’s a great idea -- and one Biden never executed.

But Trump’s vision needs more than diplomacy and logistics. It needs production. Biden, despite his pledges, failed to put the American defense industry on a wartime footing. The shortfall in munitions, air defenses, and heavy armor is real. If Trump’s plan is to succeed, he must ignite a national surge in defense manufacturing capacity. The Pentagon should be working overtime with American industry to retool, retrain, and ramp up output -- not just for Ukraine, but for Taiwan, Israel, and our own readiness.

This is a profound shift. Under President Biden, U.S. policy vacillated between urgency and caution -- sending large packages of aid but often stumbling under the weight of bureaucratic delay, congressional deadlock, and concerns over escalation. Under President Trump’s new model, NATO becomes the buyer, Ukraine becomes the recipient, and American factories become the arsenal of democracy once again -- but without draining the U.S. treasury.

TRUMP SAYS US WILL SEND PATRIOT MISSILES TO UKRAINE, ADDS THAT PUTIN 'TALKS NICE AND THEN HE BOMBS EVERYBODY'

This is a smart policy. It respects American taxpayers. It leverages our allies. And it sends a strong, unmistakable message to Moscow: The free world is done waiting.

What Triggered the Shift?

The trigger appears to be Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued intransigence. Despite diplomatic efforts and public pressure, Putin rejects both ceasefire and peace talks. Instead, Russia has launched the heaviest wave of drone and missile attacks since the war began. These are not tactical operations; they are campaigns of terror targeting civilians, schools, and critical infrastructure.

President Trump appears to have had enough. "He talks nice," Trump said of Putin, "and then he bombs everybody in the evening." In another candid moment, the Trump added, "He just wants to kill people."

Such direct, unapologetic language is quite different from the diplomatic hedging of years past. And it matters -- because it frames the conflict for what it truly is: a battle between a tyrant who thrives on destruction and free nations that are finally waking up.

NATO, Tariffs, and Real Deterrence

In coordination with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Trump and NATO have forged a comprehensive framework:

At the same time, Trump issued a clear ultimatum to Russia: If no peace deal is reached in 50 days, the U.S. will impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas -- including China and India. Congress is backing the plan, with bipartisan support led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

RUSSIA GIVES RUBIO A 'NEW AND DIFFERENT APPROACH' AS TRUMP PUSHES FOR PEACE WITH UKRAINE

Trump rightly noted that tariffs are leverage -- economic weapons in the war for peace. He’s deploying them with precision.

Immediate Action, Real Consequences

This isn’t theoretical. Patriot missile systems and other air defenses will begin arriving in Ukraine within days. NATO members are preparing to transfer many Patriot units, with U.S. factories set to backfill those stocks.

Trump’s envoy is coordinating with Germany and other European powers to ensure speed and transparency in delivery. Ukraine will receive what it needs, while the U.S. maintains readiness at home.

Peace Through Strength

Let’s be clear: This is not an open-ended war strategy. Trump still believes the war can and should end swiftly - preferably through negotiations. But as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, put it: "Russia does not want a ceasefire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trump’s principle, and we support this approach."

That phrase, "peace through strength," isn’t new, but it’s timely. It was President Ronald Reagan’s guiding principle in facing down the Soviet Union. Now, Trump is applying it to a 21st-century version of the same threat.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

What’s new, however, is the delivery mechanism. Trump is achieving deterrence without entangling the U.S. directly in another costly foreign war. His administration is positioning America as the enabler of allied defense, the supplier of strength, and the economic hammer against those who support tyranny.

Additionally, Trump is reportedly considering activating $3.85 billion in unused drawdown authority from the Biden era and seizing up to $5 billion in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s defense. If executed effectively, this could finance a robust, sustainable Ukrainian resistance—without new taxpayer burdens.

What Comes Next?

Monday’s announcement codifies this entire shift:

Some critics will accuse Trump of abandoning his promise to end the war in 24 hours. But that criticism misses the point. You don’t negotiate from weakness. You negotiate from strength. 

By arming Ukraine, rallying NATO, and leveraging economic pressure, Trump is giving peace a real chance -- on American terms, not Putin’s.

Final Thought

For the first time in months, Kyiv has reason to hope, NATO has reason to believe, and Moscow has reason to fear. That’s what leadership looks like. And that’s what the world witnessed Monday at the White House.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS

Ellen DeGeneres is showing support for Rosie O'Donnell. 

One day after President Donald Trump threatened to revoke O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship following her move to Ireland earlier this year, DeGeneres - who also reportedly fled the country after Trump was elected president - gave her fellow comedian a public shout out. 

"Good for you," DeGeneres, 67, who reposted Trump's threat and O'Donnell's lengthy response on Instagram. 

TRUMP THREATENS TO STRIP ROSIE O'DONNELL'S U.S. CITIZENSHIP AS HE SAYS SHE'S A 'THREAT TO HUMANITY'

APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST

On Saturday, Trump referred to O'Donnell as a "threat to humanity."

"Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship," Trump wrote in a post to his social media platform Truth Social.  

"She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he added. 

O'Donnell quickly responded to Trump's jab in several posts that she shared on her social media pages. The "A League of Their Own" star posted a collage of photos centered around a screenshot of Trump's post on Instagram and blasted the politician in the caption. 

ROSIE O'DONNELL FLEES US AFTER TRUMP WIN, WON’T RETURN UNTIL IT'S ’SAFE FOR ALL CITIZENS TO HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS

"The president of the USA has always hated the fact that i see him for who he is - a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself," she wrote. "This is why i moved to Ireland - he is a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy compassion and basic humanity."

"I stand in direct opposition [to] all he represents- so do millions of others - u gonna deport all who stand against ur evil tendencies - ur a bad joke who cant form a coherent sentence," O'Donnell added along with the hashtag "never trump."

The former talk show host later shared a screenshot of her Instagram post on TikTok, where she slammed Trump in the caption, writing that he was a "disgrace to all our beautiful country stands for" and a "danger to our nation."

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

O'Donnell went on to bash Trump as a "mentally ill untreated criminal," claiming that he "lied to America for a decade" during his time hosting the hit reality TV series "The Apprentice." 

"Had u grown up in NY - as I did - u would know what a total fool he is. Add me to the list of people who oppose him at every turn -it’s now or never America," she wrote. 

Representatives for the White House, DeGeneres and O'Donnell did not respond to Fox News Digital's immediate request for comment. 

Despite Trump's post, O'Donnell's citizenship is unlikely to be in jeopardy. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to any person born in the United States and the actress was born in Commack, New York. In addition, many legal experts agree that the government cannot unilaterally revoke the citizenship of a natural-born citizen. One exception is if the government was able to prove that citizenship was obtained through fraud in the case of naturalization.

In addition, citizenship can be revoked if an individual commits certain actions, including treason, serving in a foreign military engaged in hostilities against the U.S., or renouncing citizenship.

O'Donnell confirmed her move to Ireland in March, saying she left the U.S. days before Trump's inauguration, and explained the new location would be a good fit for her 12-year-old son, Clay.

DeGeneres, much like O'Donnell, left the country recently to establish a new life with wife Portia de Rossi across the pond.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

In April, O'Donnell admitted that while she hasn't been in touch with DeGeneres lately, she was "shocked" to hear why the former talk show host fled the United States.

"I’ve never really known Ellen to say anything political in her life, so I was surprised to read that she left because of President Trump. Like, that shocked me, actually," O’Donnell told Us Weekly. "I’ve been a political person my whole life, not better or worse, it’s just a different way to be in the world."

"I was very clear about the reason why I was leaving, and I don’t think it came as a surprise to anyone. We’re not really in each other’s worlds, and it’s been kind of awkward but you know what? I wish her the best. I wish that she has peace and love in her life and that she is OK."

While they've never had a strong relationship, O'Donnell insisted she harbors no ill will for the comedian.

ROSIE O'DONNELL CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT MAGA DESPITE FLEEING TO IRELAND

"I don’t want to fight against another gay woman. It’s not like we’re tenaciously opposed to each other," O'Donnell told the outlet. "We’re just very different people. We have had some stuff in the past that we never resolved. And not in any way as, as partners or lovers or anything like that, just as friends and comedians, but I wish her the best. I seriously do."

She added, "I think that there’s enough room in the world for all of the gay comedians, and we all need to stick together because gay people are the next group to be threatened. And the way they attack trans people is absolutely terrifying."

Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright and Ashley Hume contributed to this report.