US President Donald Trump has said the United States will demand financial compensation from European countries for military assistance provided to Ukraine.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Washington would seek reimbursement for weapons and support dispatched under former president Joe Biden to both Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He argued that hundreds of billions of dollars were handed over free of charge, and said Europe should have covered a major share of those expenses.
Trump claimed that European nations would have paid if they had been asked at the time. He added that while the demand comes somewhat late, his administration intends to pursue the funds.
US Ammunition Stocks and Military Production
The US leader raised the issue while reviewing domestic ammunition reserves and contrasting them with the supplies needed for a potential military operation in Iran. He claimed the Biden administration delivered far more munitions to Ukraine than necessary without requiring payment.
Trump provided no specific figure for the total amount Washington intends to claim, nor did he name which European countries would be targeted. He also omitted details on the legal or financial mechanisms that could be used to enforce the demand. News agency Reuters also reported that Trump announced plans to seek compensation from European nations for American military aid.
Addressing current US arsenals, Trump said the nation possesses nearly unlimited stockpiles of medium and high quality ammunition. He claimed these existing resources far exceed what the United States would use during a military operation in Iran or another potential conflict.
Trump added that American military production has reached unprecedented levels. He explained that Washington is currently prioritizing the replenishment of its own reserves, but plans to resume weapons sales to foreign allies later.
Diplomatic Visits and Peace Talks
The announcement coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the war following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said preliminary dates have been set for special US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to visit Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian officials are in communication virtually around the clock with the American representatives to prepare for the upcoming meetings. He noted that Witkoff and Kushner will travel to both Kyiv and Moscow, with the meeting in the Ukrainian capital expected in the coming days. Zelenskyy emphasized that continued active involvement by the United States remains crucial.
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters he would be willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin only when both sides are prepared to conclude a formal peace agreement. Trump expressed a desire for the United States to maintain good relations with Russia, calling such ties advantageous for business due to Russia's vast territory and valuable land.
The US president reiterated his goal to bring an end to the war, while acknowledging the severe animosity that exists between Zelenskyy and Putin.
