Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed a deal with Donald Trump that would see the US send weapons to Ukraine in exchange for drones.
Zelensky described the “mega-deal” in an interview with the New York Post. “The people of America need this technology, and you need to have it in your arsenal,” he said. “I think this is really a mega deal, a win-win, as they say.”
It’s unclear how Kiev would have the ability to export weapons to the US when Ukraine is dependent on military aid from Washington to keep its soldiers equipped. President Trump has frequently expressed that the US has been “ripped off” with the aid sent to Ukraine.
During the Joe Biden Presidency, Trump was highly critical of support for Ukraine, arguing it would lead to a major escalation. However, he is now threatening to expand support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
Additionally, the Financial Times reported that Trump asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow if the US provided the required long-range weapons. Trump later denied the report.
To appease the American leader, Kiev signed a mineral agreement with Washington, giving the US access to profits from Ukrainian national resources in exchange for weapons. Additionally, Europe is planning to buy $10 billion in American weapons to send to Ukraine.
Some NATO countries, including France and Italy, have opted out of the weapons buying program. Rome said it did not have the funding to participate in the scheme.
