Ukraine Floats “Mutual Purchases” to US as Aid Dries Up

In a bid to restart crucial US military aid, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed “mutual purchases and investments” with President Donald Trump during their “good conversation” on Friday. This diplomatic move comes as the US has reportedly halted its latest shipment of munitions, including Patriot air defense missiles, due to concerns over its own military stockpiles. The urgency of these talks was amplified by a record-breaking Russian aerial assault on Kyiv.
Zelenskyy’s emphasis on joint defense production and direct procurement suggests Ukraine’s willingness to create economic incentives for the Trump administration to resume the flow of vital weaponry. Ukraine is facing an unprecedented level of Russian bombardment, making robust air defense an immediate and critical priority. While the call was described as productive, a concrete announcement about the resumption of aid was not forthcoming.
The backdrop to these discussions includes President Trump’s “disappointment” with Vladimir Putin’s refusal to make concessions for peace. The devastating Russian strike on Kyiv, occurring immediately after the Trump-Putin call, was interpreted by Zelenskyy as a stark “interpretation of how Moscow interprets diplomacy,” underscoring the Kremlin’s continued aggressive stance.
With US aid on hold, Germany is now in “intensive talks” to potentially purchase Patriot missile systems for Ukraine. This European effort is a crucial step towards addressing Ukraine’s immediate air defense needs and demonstrating continued international solidarity in the face of persistent Russian aggression.