(Dan Tri) - The Trump administration plans to push European allies to buy more US weapons for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, US on September 22, 2024 (Photo: AFP).
Reuters news agency quoted two sources familiar with the matter as saying on February 10 that the Trump administration plans to push European allies to buy more US weapons for Ukraine ahead of potential peace talks with Russia.
The plan, if implemented, would help reassure Ukrainian leaders amid concerns that President Trump might block military aid to Kiev, and would also improve Ukraine’s negotiating position, the sources said.
European countries previously purchased US weapons for Ukraine under the administration of President Joe Biden.
US officials, including President Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, will discuss the potential arms purchase with European allies this week at the Munich Security Conference, sources said.
According to sources, this is one of many ideas that the Trump administration is discussing to be able to continue transferring US weapons to Kiev without Washington having to spend significant additional amounts of money.
In an interview with Reuters on February 10, special envoy Kellogg declined to confirm the plan, but said, "The US always wants to sell US-made weapons because this will strengthen the US economy."
“There are a lot of options out there. The transition is still happening,” Kellogg said, confirming that previous arms shipments approved by former President Joe Biden were still flowing into Ukraine.
US officials have said in recent days that the Trump administration wants to recoup the billions of dollars it has spent on the war in Ukraine and that Europe needs to do more to support Kiev.
“I think a fundamental principle here is that Europe has to take responsibility for this conflict going forward,” US national security adviser Mike Waltz said in an interview on February 9.
It is unclear whether the US plans to require European countries to buy US weapons through commercial contracts or directly from US stockpiles. Some commercial contracts could take years to complete.
The Trump administration has debated for weeks whether and how to continue providing weapons to Ukraine.
Mr Trump vowed during his presidential campaign to cut off all aid to Ukraine. However, some of his advisers have said Washington should continue to provide military support to Kiev, especially if peace talks are delayed until later this year.
President Biden has approved more than $65 billion in security aid to Ukraine during his time in office, including billions of dollars in his final months in office.
However, officials in Kiev, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, have said Ukraine needs more security guarantees before entering talks with Moscow.
US administration officials see arms deals with Europe as a potential alternative that would allow Washington to support Kiev without spending US taxpayer money. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last month that Europe would pay for US weapons for Ukraine.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/my-hoi-thuc-dong-minh-chau-au-mua-them-vu-khi-cho-ukraine-20250211112353746.htm
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