Ukraine has given Trump ‘main principles’ for arms deals – Zelensky
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has said he has presented US President Donald Trump with Kiev’s “main principles” for future weapons deals. The Ukrainian leader did not clarify, however, whether Trump had agreed to the purported terms.
In a video address on Thursday, Zelensky said he and Trump had discussed “large-scale agreements” on weapons deliveries. The Ukrainian leader added that he was “very much counting on us being able to implement them all” and that it would “undoubtedly strengthen both of our countries.”
Zelensky provided no further details on the talks, including whether the US would be financing the weapons deliveries.
Last week, Trump said Washington and the EU had reached an agreement under which the bloc would pay “100% of the cost of all military equipment” provided by the US. “They’re going to ship it to the European Union, and then they'll distribute it, and much of it will go to Ukraine,” he added.
The EU will also pay for any US-made Patriot air defense systems destined for Ukraine, Trump stated, noting that “this will be a business for us.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said at least eight countries in the military bloc were ready to contribute to the overall plan financially. Trump and Rutte both said Ukraine would receive additional Patriots under the arrangement. According to the Washington Post, Germany has already given Ukraine three Patriot systems and is negotiating with the US for replacements.
Politico reported earlier this week that several EU countries are seeking tens of billions of dollars in loans from the bloc to buy weapons for Ukraine.
The Trump administration has for months been reluctant to approve new aid packages to Ukraine, and on several occasions frozen deliveries of certain weapons for Kiev, citing inadequate stocks at home.
Russia has consistently criticized Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, warning they do not change the outcome of the conflict and result in direct NATO’s involvement in the hostilities.
