The US administration is increasingly calling on European partners to take on a larger share of defense commitments. At the same time, Washington recognizes Ukraine's significant contribution to the development of the latest military technologies and combat approaches. Against the background of these statements, disputes over sanctions against Russia continue.
Trump called on Europe to compensate the US for the costs of assistance to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump said that European states must compensate the United States for $ 350 billion, which, according to him, was spent on military assistance to Ukraine during the presidency of Joe Biden. The head of the White House made such a statement during a speech at Andrews Air Force Base. Trump emphasized, that the American side has provided Ukraine with significant amounts of weapons and equipment. According to him, this includes aircraft, various types of weapons and other resources.
The US President also noted that the Joe Biden administration did not insist on reimbursement of these costs by European allies.
“We gave you, just think, $350 billion – airplanes, weapons of all kinds and much more,” he said.
Donald Trump once again expressed disagreement with the estimates of the amount of aid to Ukraine, previously voiced by representatives of the previous administration and Washington’s partners. The topic of sharing the financial burden between the US and Europe remains one of the key issues in discussions on supporting Ukraine.
Zelensky reported a positive signal regarding licenses for the production of air defense
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said, that he received positive signals from the leaders of the G7 countries and US President Donald Trump regarding the possible granting of licenses to Ukraine for the production of air defense systems. He reported this during a joint press conference with Honduran President Nasri Asfoura in Kyiv. According to the head of state, the issue of developing its own production of missiles and air defense systems was discussed during his international contacts. The President stressed that this topic is of great importance for strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the Ukrainian side has repeatedly appealed to the United States with a request to provide the relevant licenses during the Joe Biden administration.
“And I received a positive signal from the entire G7, including President (Donald — ed.) Trump. Licenses for the production of our missiles. For the first time, the American side is perceived positively,” he said.
The President also expressed hope for positive results from consultations between American arms manufacturers, military and government structures.
“You know, starting with the administration of President (Joe — ed.) Biden. But we have never received anything. […] God forbid, they will hold all the consultations with Raytheon, with other manufacturers, talk to the military. I really hope that they will return with a positive answer,” Zelensky added.
Costa's initiative to reach out to the Kremlin has sparked controversy in the EU
An attempt by European Council President Antonio Costa to establish a diplomatic channel of communication with the Kremlin has sparked mixed reactions among European Union leaders. According to Reuters, a representative of Costa's office has been in contact with the Russian side in recent weeks to open channels of communication. This was the first such step after a long period of de facto freezing of official contacts between Brussels and Moscow. The initiative immediately attracted the attention of participants in the EU summit in Brussels.
Some European leaders criticized this step, considering it inconsistent with their partners. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron reacted to the initiative with restraint, while representatives of the Baltic and Nordic countries expressed the greatest concern. At the same time, Antonio Costa himself said that he was seeking to create a channel to transmit European signals directly to the Russian side. The Prime Ministers of Ireland and Spain supported this idea, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic mechanisms even in the context of an ongoing war.
Stefanishyna: SABER bill can strengthen support for Ukraine at the expense of Russian assets
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna stated, that the bipartisan SABER Act bill presented in the US Senate opens up new opportunities for the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. According to her, the document updates the discussion on the practical use of these funds to support Ukrainian defense needs. The initiative was a continuation of previous legislative developments related to the REPO law and other projects that were considered by the US Congress. Particular attention was paid to financing the procurement of weapons and military equipment.
“Good news from Capitol Hill: a bipartisan bill called the SABER Act has been presented in the US Senate, which once again updates the issue of using frozen Russian sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukraine,” the ambassador noted.
According to Olga Stefanishyna, the document expands the political discussion on the mechanisms for using the funds of the aggressor state.
“The current bill develops this approach and expands the political discussion on practical mechanisms for using Russian assets,” she emphasized.
The ambassador also emphasized that such an approach allows for increased support for Ukraine without additional costs for American taxpayers.
Ukrainian drone manufacturers enter the markets of Japan and Asia
Ukrainian companies engaged in the production of drones are actively looking for partners in Asian countries against the backdrop of growing defense spending in the region. According to Reuters, drone manufacturers UFORCE, Skyeton, General Cherry and others are holding talks with Japanese government officials, defense companies and military structures. Interest in Ukrainian technologies is explained by Ukraine’s experience in the field of drone warfare and countering Russian aggression. Japan, which is increasing its defense budget and preparing for possible challenges in the region, is considering various options for cooperation in the field of advanced military technologies.
The heads of Ukrainian companies emphasize that they strive not only to sell products, but also to create joint production for Asian markets. Former Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera positively assessed cooperation with Ukraine, noting that Tokyo needs systems that have already proven their effectiveness in real combat conditions. In parallel, Ukrainian manufacturers are consulting with Taiwan and the Philippines on technological cooperation in the field of unmanned systems. Industry representatives are also working to diversify the supply of components, reducing dependence on Chinese manufacturers and expanding cooperation with Japanese and Taiwanese companies.
Photo: Getty Images/Alex Wong
Author: Danylo Pievchev