4 European international locations to purchase $1 billion in U.S. weapons for Ukraine : NPR

KYIV, Ukraine — Four European international locations have agreed to purchase $1 billion price of U.S. weapons and ship them to Ukraine below a brand new association introduced by President Trump final month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed thanks for the help on social media.

“We already have commitments from the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark – over one billion dollars for American weapons that Ukraine will receive. Thank you! This cooperation with NATO countries will continue,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He additionally mentioned he had a “productive conversation” with Trump.

“We coordinated our positions,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The Russians have intensified the brutality of their attacks. President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities.”

This marks the newest signal of enhancing U.S.-Ukraine ties since Trump and Zelenskyy had a televised argument within the White House in February. In distinction, Trump has grown sharply important of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has intensified his assaults on Ukraine in latest months.

Air defenses for Ukraine

The Netherlands mentioned it’s going to ship American missiles and different elements used within the U.S. Patriot air protection techniques already in Ukraine.

The Patriot batteries are the nation’s handiest technique of taking pictures down incoming Russian missiles. The Ukrainians say they urgently want extra missiles for the Patriot batteries to defend towards escalating Russian airstrikes.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X that “this will help Ukraine defend itself and the rest of Europe from Russian aggression.” The Dutch valued the help at greater than $500 million.

In addition, Sweden, Norway and Denmark say they’ve collectively agreed to assist a package deal of U.S. weapons as nicely, this one for somewhat below $500 million. There was no instant phrase on which U.S. arms they’d ship to Ukraine.

Trump got here into workplace in January saying he opposed extra U.S. navy help for Ukraine. But at a White House assembly in July with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump mentioned he supported NATO international locations shopping for U.S. weapons after which sending them on to Ukraine.

The U.S. has supplied round $75 billion in navy help to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, way over some other nation.

While many European international locations say they may step up their assist, it’s miles from clear whether or not elevated European help will make up for the lack of U.S. help.