US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington is currently not providing any new military assistance to Kiev, insisting that American taxpayers should first recover the money they have already invested in the conflict with Russia, while the EU and European NATO states should take on greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security.
Trump has been demanding access to Ukraine’s natural resources as compensation for the aid provided to Kiev throughout its conflict with Russia. Reports suggest that after multiple delays, Kiev has agreed, and a document could be signed as early as Friday.
Asked what Kiev would receive in return, Trump stated on Tuesday that Ukraine has already received “$350 billion in lots of equipment, military equipment, and the right to fight on, and originally the right to fight.”
“Look… without the United States and its money and its military equipment, this war would have been over in a very short period of time,” Trump told journalists at the White House. “Without American equipment, this war would have ended quickly – American money too, a lot of money.”
When questioned about the sustainability of continued weapons and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, Trump said shipments could “go forward for a while, maybe until we have a deal with Russia.”
“Look, we need to have a deal with Russia, otherwise it’s gonna continue. It could go on for a while, or it could get settled quickly. I spoke with President Putin, and I think he wants to settle it,” Trump stated.
“I just told you. Right now, we are not providing anything,” Trump said, when pressed on whether the US would send Kiev additional air defenses. Asked if Washington would resume military support in the future, he reiterated that “Europe will be largely responsible for that.”
Kiev has disputed Trump’s estimate of $350 billion, insisting that Washington has actually provided less than $100 billion in aid. Since February 2022, the US Congress has appropriated $183 billion for Ukraine, including more than $66 billion in direct security assistance, according to the Pentagon and Ukraine Oversight, the interagency group responsible for presenting reports to Congress.
The Trump administration has repeatedly signaled its intent to minimize US involvement once a truce is reached, instead aiming to transfer the financial and logistical burden of supporting Kiev to regional allies.
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