Trump Backs $1 Billion European Deal to Send U.S. Weapons to Ukraine

In a notable shift, four European countries have agreed to purchase $1 billion worth of U.S. weapons and send them to Ukraine. This arrangement, revealed by President Trump last month, marks a turning point in both U.S.-European cooperation and Trump’s stance on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move, calling it a much-needed boost to help counter intensifying Russian attacks.

Support

The countries involved—Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark—are all NATO members and longtime supporters of Ukraine. Together, they’re coordinating to funnel a significant amount of American-made military equipment to Kyiv, especially air defense systems critical to protecting civilians from missile strikes.

Zelenskyy, posting on X (formerly Twitter), expressed gratitude: “We already have commitments… over one billion dollars for American weapons that Ukraine will receive. Thank you!” He also noted a “productive conversation” with President Trump, where both sides aligned their views on the growing Russian threat.

Shift

Trump’s latest move contrasts with his earlier position. When he took office in January, he voiced skepticism over more direct U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Instead, he has pushed for NATO allies to step up, and that’s exactly what’s happening now.

In a July meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump gave his backing for NATO countries to buy weapons from the U.S. and deliver them to Ukraine. It’s a win-win from his perspective: American defense contractors benefit, and the U.S. avoids bearing the full financial burden.

Airdefense

The Netherlands is contributing a hefty slice of the deal, pledging over $500 million worth of Patriot missile components and other air defense gear. These missiles are part of the Patriot systems already deployed in Ukraine, which are essential in intercepting Russian missile barrages.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans highlighted the importance of the move: “This helps Ukraine to defend itself and the rest of Europe against Russian aggression.” With Russia stepping up its strikes, particularly on Kyiv and other cities, these systems are needed now more than ever.

Allies

The rest of the aid package—just under $500 million—comes from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. While they haven’t yet disclosed the exact weaponry included, their joint support sends a strong signal of unity and continued commitment to Ukraine.

This arrangement is especially significant as the U.S. Congress remains divided over sending more direct aid to Ukraine. With European partners stepping in to fill part of the gap, Trump’s administration appears to be crafting a workaround that keeps weapons flowing without tapping into more U.S. taxpayer dollars.

Uncertainty

Still, it’s unclear if these new European contributions can fully compensate for the dwindling flow of direct U.S. aid. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, America has sent over $75 billion in military support—far more than any other nation. Cutting back on that pipeline creates pressure for allies to scale up.

And while Trump has become more vocal in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, questions remain about how deeply involved the U.S. is willing to be in Ukraine’s war effort moving forward.

Here’s a breakdown of the latest European contributions:

Country	Estimated Value	Weapon Type
Netherlands	$500+ million	Patriot missile systems and parts
Sweden	Part of $500M	U.S. weapons (specifics not disclosed)
Norway	Part of $500M	U.S. weapons (specifics not disclosed)
Denmark	Part of $500M	U.S. weapons (specifics not disclosed)

This new European push—encouraged by Trump—might be a model for how military support can evolve. The strategy? Let U.S. allies foot more of the bill while still using American firepower to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

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