Zelenskyy thanks US for weapons under new NATO initiative
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine is grateful for the new NATO program that allows member states to purchase weapons from the United States for delivery to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
"We're thankful for this program and this opportunity. We are thankful for Europe, they pay for this," he said.
Zelenskyy stated that American weapons are crucial for Ukraine's defense.
"Nobody in Europe has so many air defense (systems) like Patriots. We need it very much," he said.
Trump also praised the program, as it means that the United States is "not giving anything" to Ukraine directly, but sells its military equipment to Kyiv's allies.
New program
The new NATO initiative, known as PURL (Priority Ukraine Request List), provides for the creation of a special Alliance account to which partner countries will be able to transfer funds for the purchase of American weapons.
Ukraine, in turn, will form a list of the necessary weapons and submit it directly to NATO.
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have already announced their contribution under this program — they will finance a package of weapons and ammunition worth 500 million dollars, which will be purchased in the United States.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte earlier stated that the supply of weapons to Ukraine will continue regardless of the outcome of upcoming negotiations between the United States and Russia.
US President Donald Trump said that assistance to Ukraine will continue regardless of the outcome of negotiations at the White House with Zelenskyy and European leaders on August 18.
