The Trump administration plans to push United States’ European allies to purchase more American arms for Ukraine ahead of possible peace talks with Moscow, in a move aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s negotiating position, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The plan, if formalised, will offer some reassurance to Ukrainian leaders who have worried that President Donald Trump might block further aid to the country, whose military has been slowly losing territory under fierce Russian assault in the east.
European countries previously had purchased American weapons for Ukraine during the Biden administration.
Arms Purchase Talks
U.S. officials, including Trump’s Ukrainian envoy, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, will discuss the possible weapons purchases with European allies this week during the Munich Security Conference, the sources said.
It is one of several ideas the administration is discussing to potentially continue U.S. weapons shipments to Kyiv without expending significant U.S. capital, they added.
In an interview on Monday with Reuters, Kellogg declined to confirm the plan but said, “The U.S. always likes selling weapons made in America because it strengthens our economy.
“There are a lot of options out there. Everything is in play right now,” Kellogg said, adding that the shipments previously approved by former President Joe Biden still were flowing into Ukraine.
“There’s not necessarily any need in the next 24 hours to it any different,” he said.
Europe ‘Needs To Do More’
U.S. officials have said in recent days that the Trump administration wants to recoup the billions Washington has spent on the war in Ukraine and that Europe needs to do more to help.
“I think an underlying principle here is that the Europeans have to own this conflict going forward,” U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz said in an interview with NBC News on Sunday.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Purchase Method Unclear
It’s unclear if the U.S. plans to ask European countries to purchase American arms through commercial contracts or directly from the American stockpile. Some commercial contracts can take years to complete.
The Trump administration has for weeks debated whether and how to continue arming Ukraine.
Trump’s Aid Halt Threat
Trump vowed during his presidential campaign to cut off all aid to Ukraine. But some of his advisers have argued behind the scenes that Washington should continue to support Kyiv militarily, especially if the peace talks are delayed until later this year.
Biden approved more than $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine during his time in office, including billions in the final months of his administration.
But officials in Kyiv, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have said Ukraine needs more security guarantees before entering into talks with Moscow.
Potential Pushback
The Trump White House would likely face significant pushback from some Republicans if it moves forward with asking for additional funding from Congress.
Administration officials view an arms purchase deal with Europe as a potential workaround, allowing Washington to support Kyiv without spending U.S. taxpayer dollars. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last month that Europe would pay for U.S. arms for Ukraine.
(With inputs from Reuters)