Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that his country is ready to spend up to $50 billion for more US air defenses and aid.
Speaking to local reporters, Zelenskyy framed such a deal as a potential long-standing security arrangement with the US instead of Washington donating stock to Kyiv.
“We pay the money accordingly. If you want it in a fund or if you want us to pay you directly, it doesn’t matter to us,” Zelenskyy said in a meeting with journalists.
He said his team had already asked the US for specific systems and indicated that they were open to a purchase.
“We have not asked for this future package for free. We count on this even as a security guarantee,” he said.
Among his priorities were 10 air defense systems, such as the Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
“This is protection, this will help us after the war ends; it’s a security guarantee ensuring that Ukraine is covered by air defense,” he said.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is “ready to find even $30 or $50 billion for the relevant package.”
Ukraine procuring advanced US weapons systems for long-term use would make it a more traditional customer of the American military industry — which almost always requires and comes with a strong rapprochement with Washington.
Zelenskyy’s suggestion comes as the US-Ukraine relationship has fallen into question, marked by March’s shock shouting episode in the White House involving President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
On the practical stage, Trump has been seeking concessions from Ukraine for aid given under the Biden administration. In February, he said he wanted to “do a deal” with Ukraine “to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”
“I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up. We’re asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get,” Trump said in February.
So far, the US has given Ukraine about $70 billion worth of weapons aid and $51 billion in financial aid, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy’s tracker.
That makes the Pentagon by far the largest individual donor of weapons aid to Ukraine, with Europe as a whole trailing with about $54 billion worth of weapons given.
Meanwhile, European countries have pledged $126 billion in additional military and financial aid for Ukraine as doubts linger over the US’ commitment to supporting Kyiv.
Zelenskyy previously dismissed the idea of Ukraine retroactively paying for weapons sent in the past.
“But if that issue is raised in the minerals agreement, we will not be taking on old debts,” Zelenskyy said in March. “If it’s about new support, then the United States may impose certain conditions.”
“We understand that this administration won’t do anything for free,” he added.
