KYIV, Ukraine Under a new agreement announced by President Trump last month, four European nations have committed to purchase $1 billion worth of U.S. weaponry and ship them to Ukraine.
On social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone for the help.
“The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have already committed to send Ukraine more than $1 billion in American arms. I’m grateful. Zelenskyy wrote on X, “This collaboration with NATO nations will continue.”
He added that his “productive conversation” with Trump was successful.
“We coordinated our positions,” reported Zelenskyy. “The ruthlessness of the Russians’ attacks has increased. The Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities are well known to President Trump.
Since Trump and Zelenskyy’s heated dispute in the White House in February, this is the most recent indication that U.S.-Ukraine relations are getting better. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has stepped up his attacks on Ukraine in recent months, and Trump has become increasingly critical of him.
Air defenses for Ukraine
According to the Netherlands, American missiles and other parts for the Patriot air defense systems already in place in Ukraine would be sent there.
The most efficient way for Ukraine to strike down incoming Russian missiles is with Patriot batteries. The Ukrainians say they urgently need additional missiles for the Patriot batteries to defend against escalating Russian airstrikes.
Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch defense minister, said on X: “This helps Ukraine to defend itself and the rest of Europe against Russian aggression.” The aid was estimated at about $500 million by the Dutch.
Furthermore, it has been announced that Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have decided to jointly back a package of U.S. armaments, which will cost little under $500 million. The specific U.S. weapons that will be sent to Ukraine were not immediately known.
Trump came into office in January saying he opposed additional U.S. military aid for Ukraine. However, Trump stated that he was in favor of NATO nations purchasing American weaponry and then transferring them to Ukraine at a July White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
More than any other nation, the U.S. has given Ukraine around $75 billion in military aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
It’s unclear if more European help will compensate for the loss of U.S. aid, even though many European nations have stated that they will raise their support.
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