Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, D.C) – President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed that the United States has reached a new agreement with NATO under which the military alliance will fully fund the weapons destined for Ukraine, shifting the financial burden away from Washington.
In a phone interview with NBC News, President Trump stated that NATO would cover “100 percent” of the cost of the arms provided to Ukraine under a deal reportedly struck at last month’s NATO summit in The Hague.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent,” Trump said. “So, what we’re doing is, the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons \[to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons.”
The president reiterated that the arrangement ensures U.S. weapons are reimbursed in full by NATO, positioning the alliance as the direct sponsor of Ukraine’s military supplies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed that the U.S. is in talks with several European allies, including Spain and Germany, regarding the deployment of their Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. These systems are critical for intercepting incoming missiles and bolstering Kyiv’s air defenses.
“Well, the Spaniards have them. They’re really far from Ukraine and they have one. The Germans have, others have them — I’m not singling them out, but I’m just telling you those are two that I know,” Rubio told reporters in Malaysia following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “There are other Patriot batteries, and there are other opportunities.”
Rubio, who also serves as Trump’s national security adviser, suggested that countries awaiting deliveries of U.S.-made Patriot systems could opt to defer those shipments to prioritize Ukraine’s needs instead.
The agreement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow, as President Trump escalates his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump noted that despite discussions, there has been “no progress” toward a ceasefire in Ukraine and expressed skepticism about Putin’s willingness to end the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration resumed shipments of some defense equipment to Ukraine, days after the Pentagon briefly paused deliveries of certain air defense munitions over concerns about depleting U.S. stockpiles.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed he spoke with President Trump on Thursday regarding urgent military aid to Ukraine.
“Russia’s continued massive attacks against Ukrainian civilians are deplorable,” Rutte wrote on X. “Earlier today I urged leaders to go further so Ukraine has more ammunition & air defences. I’ve just spoken with President Trump & am now working closely with allies to get Ukraine the help they need.”
The latest diplomatic moves suggest a renewed push by the Trump administration and NATO to accelerate military assistance to Kyiv while addressing concerns among some U.S. lawmakers about the costs of supporting Ukraine’s war effort.
