Trump: US Will Sell Arms to Europe to Support Ukraine Against Russia

As Ukraine endures a new wave of missile and drone strikes from Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday, July 11, that Washington is facilitating the transfer of weapons to Ukraine via NATO allies in Europe. The move, he explained, is part of a broader strategy in which the U.S. sells arms to NATO countries, who in turn deliver those weapons to Ukrainian forces on the front lines.

Arms Transfers Through NATO: A Strategic Shift

In a televised interview with NBC, Trump stated, “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%. The weapons go to NATO, and then NATO gives them to Ukraine.” This approach marks a tactical shift in how U.S. support for Ukraine is administered, relying more heavily on European partners to act as intermediaries.

The decision follows a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Kyiv reportedly received encouraging news about incoming U.S.-linked military aid. Zelensky later announced that Ukraine had received “positive signals” from Washington regarding new arms deliveries.

This assistance is particularly critical as Ukraine scrambles to reinforce its defenses amid intensifying Russian bombardments. Ukrainian officials have specifically requested more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to counter cruise and ballistic missile threats.

NATO’s Role and Europe’s Proximity Advantage

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously indicated that several of the weapons Ukraine urgently needs are already deployed with NATO allies in Europe. These countries could quickly transfer their existing stockpiles to Ukraine, allowing for faster support than if the weapons were shipped directly from U.S. manufacturing facilities.

“It’s a lot faster to move something, for example, from Germany to Ukraine than it is to order it from a U.S. factory and get it there,” Rubio explained during a press briefing at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is working with NATO members to encourage these transfers. In return, the U.S. would enter financial agreements to sell replacement systems back to the donating countries.

Growing Demand for Patriot Systems

Zelensky also announced on Thursday that Ukraine has submitted requests to several countries for ten more Patriot missile systems. According to the Ukrainian leader, Germany has agreed to provide two of those systems, while Norway has committed to sending one.

This request underscores Ukraine’s urgent need to bolster its air defense network as Russia intensifies its use of advanced missile technologies. The Patriot system, capable of targeting both ballistic and cruise missiles, has become a critical component of Ukraine’s defense against aerial attacks.