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

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Roman Pilipey/AFP through Getty Pictures KYIV, Ukraine — 4 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 have already got commitments from the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark – over one billion {dollars} for American weapons that Ukraine will obtain. Thanks! This cooperation with NATO international locations will proceed," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He additionally mentioned he had a "productive dialog" with Trump.

"We coordinated our positions," Zelenskyy wrote. "The Russians have intensified the brutality of their assaults. President Trump is absolutely knowledgeable about Russian strikes on Kyiv and different 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 Home in February. In distinction, Trump has grown sharply essential of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has intensified his assaults on Ukraine in current months.

Air defenses for Ukraine The Netherlands mentioned it would ship American missiles and different parts used within the U.S. Patriot air protection methods already in Ukraine.

The Patriot batteries are the nation's only technique of capturing down incoming Russian missiles. The Ukrainians say they urgently want extra missiles for the Patriot batteries to defend towards escalating Russian airstrikes.

Dutch Protection Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X that "it will assist Ukraine defend itself and the remainder of Europe from Russian aggression." The Dutch valued the help at greater than $500 million.

As well as, Sweden, Norway and Denmark say they've collectively agreed to help a bundle of U.S. weapons as nicely, this one for a bit of below $500 million. There was no fast 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 assist for Ukraine. However at a White Home assembly in July with NATO Secretary Normal 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 every other nation.

Whereas many European international locations say they are going to step up their help, it is from clear whether or not elevated European help will make up for the lack of U.S. assist.