Ukrainians have made a makeshift memorial exterior an house constructing within the capital Kyiv that was hit by a Russian airstrike on July 31. A mixed missile and drone assault killed greater than 30 civilians and wounded greater than 150 within the metropolis that day.
Roman Pilipey/AFP through Getty Pictures
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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 beneath a brand new association introduced by President Trump final month.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed thanks for the help on social media.
“We already have commitments from the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark – over one billion dollars for American weapons that Ukraine will receive. Thank you! This cooperation with NATO countries will continue,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He additionally mentioned he had a “productive conversation” with Trump.
“We coordinated our positions,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The Russians have intensified the brutality of their attacks. President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities.”
This marks the most recent 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 elements used within the U.S. Patriot air protection programs 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 in opposition to escalating Russian airstrikes.
Dutch Protection Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X that “this will help Ukraine defend itself and the rest 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 assist a package deal of U.S. weapons as nicely, this one for somewhat beneath $500 million. There was no rapid phrase on which U.S. arms they’d ship to Ukraine.
Trump got here into workplace in January saying he opposed extra U.S. army support for Ukraine. However at a White Home assembly in July with NATO Secretary Basic 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 offered round $75 billion in army help to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, excess of every other nation.
Whereas many European international locations say they are going to step up their assist, it is from clear whether or not elevated European help will make up for the lack of U.S. support.
