Ukraine is striking out on getting the US to send it more weapons. So it plans to try something new: Asking Washington to let Europe purchase US weapons for Ukraine, according to six people with knowledge of the request, EDnews reports, citing Politico.
The novel approach was being discussed around the same time that the Trump administration moved to halt some deliveries of military aid that had already been allocated for Kyiv, including Patriot air defense interceptors and high-explosive artillery rounds. The move blindsided top Ukrainian officials. It also comes as Europe pledges to spend more on defense and is looking for creative ways to do so.
As part of the new push, several European governments are exploring plans to buy American-made weapons from their defense budgets for transfer to Ukraine. The money would count toward the new NATO defense spending number, but there have been no solid commitments yet. Those transfers would have to come with US government approval, details of which are being discussed, according to one person familiar with the developing plans. This person, like the others, was granted anonymity to share details of the discussions, which have not been previously noted.
With no additional US help coming and Russia in the middle of a summer military offensive targeting the northeastern city of Sumy that has already seen the Kremlin snatch up key critical minerals deposits, Zelenskyy has been forced to change his approach on acquiring new weapons.
“We don’t have a choice,” a Ukrainian official said.
One potential sticking point involves restrictions the US normally places on allies using American weaponry. During the Biden administration, British Storm Shadow missiles were held up from being sent to Kyiv because they contained US parts. Part of the negotiations will address those permissions, the Ukrainian official said.
American-made weapons take a notoriously long time to construct and ship to allies. But when it comes to high-end equipment such as air defenses, the American-made items are the best on the market and have proven effective against Russian missiles and drones. In 2022, the US funded the sales of 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems for Kyiv, but the Lockheed Martin-made weapons have yet to arrive.
It isn’t clear yet whether the United States would grant such requests.
The Trump administration appeared to be warming to the idea of sending more defensive weapons to Kyiv as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in the Netherlands last week. One person directly briefed on the meeting described it as “really positive,” noting that Trump appeared to be “compassionate” and “understanding.”
A second person briefed on the exchange between the two leaders said it was “productive” and went “very, very well.”
