Liudmyla Zhernovska 01:51, 16.07.25 UNIAN
Foreign ministers have begun discussing a new support mechanism
The European Union is considering the possibility of paying for the American arms package for Ukraine with the proceeds from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation.
This is reported by The Telegraph , citing diplomatic sources. On Tuesday, July 15, foreign ministers of the European Union member states met in Brussels to discuss how the mechanism for purchasing weapons from the United States of America will work.
According to a representative of the North Atlantic Alliance, many believe that the NATO mission to support Ukraine will play a leading role in coordinating the procurement and transfer of weapons. Ministers and officials are sure that it is better to entrust this to the Alliance so that there are no questions about the transparency of the process. However, some participants in the discussion are concerned that Moscow may view the purchase of weapons for Ukraine as a provocation.
It is most likely that European countries, together with Canada, will replenish the Alliance’s central treasury, from which they will take money for the purchase of weapons. They will be guided by the list of weapons from Kyiv. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski proposed using the profits from frozen Russian assets to pay for them:
“Should this be a burden on our taxpayers, or on the Russians?”
As the publication notes, participation in the new American program will also directly contribute to meeting NATO’s defense spending target of 3.5%, which will help countries get closer to this goal faster.
Alliance officials noted that the details of this agreement are still being negotiated, but the first Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems should arrive in Ukraine in the near future. The partners will also discuss what long-range missiles the Ukrainian army can receive.
Europe will buy weapons for Ukraine
As UNIAN reported, during a meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump announced his willingness to sell weapons to European allies, which they will transfer to Ukraine.
According to him, the first deliveries – in particular, Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, which Ukraine badly needs – should arrive in the near future. The essence of the scheme is that NATO countries will transfer some of their existing weapons to Ukraine, and in return will purchase new ones for themselves.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has already announced that his country is ready to take the lead in this initiative. The country has already promised to buy two Patriot air defense systems for the Ukrainians .
According to Axios, the first wave will include weapons worth about $10 billion . The US will sell missiles, air defense systems and artillery shells to the Europeans.
I don’t understand the hold up with using the frozen funds of the Moskali. I think all the courts have said its legal. There are $5B in the USA and $300B in Europe. Of course it will be needed for reconstruction but Ukrainian lives are far more important.