US President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to strengthen Ukrainian defense based on a complex weapons exchange strategy between the United States and European allies. This initiative marks a shift in American foreign policy toward the Russian invasion. The American president has developed a strategy to arm Ukraine without drawing directly from US stockpiles. The plan involves European allies delivering their existing weapons to Kyiv, while the US would supply them with high-tech American weapons to replace what they lose.
Read: Donald Trump: Weapons shipments to Ukraine have already begun, no new communication with Putin
Reuters emphasizes that the major challenge lies in determining which countries will be willing to hand over their valuable systems, including the critical Patriot missiles that Ukraine seeks with absolute priority.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated: “We will build state-of-the-art weapons and they will be sent to NATO.” He also announced that the first Patriot missile defense systems will arrive in Ukraine within days. Patriot systems, despite their high cost, constitute vital tools for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. According to the new agreement, the US has expressed willingness to also send offensive weapons to Ukraine.
The Trump-Rutte cooperation
The plan was developed during recent talks between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The proposal received positive response from both Ukraine and its allies. During the Oval Office meeting, Rutte named six NATO countries that expressed interest in participating in the plan: Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, and Canada. Characteristically, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters: “We are ready to participate.”
Despite the initial positive reaction, significant challenges remain. A Northern European ambassador in Washington commented: “As always with these things, the devil is in the details.” The central question requiring immediate answer is which countries will proceed with providing Patriot systems and when.
Officials from two embassies of the involved countries revealed to Reuters that they were informed about the plan only during its official announcement, indicating the rapid pace at which things are developing.
Estimates for the number of systems
Kurt Volker, former US ambassador to NATO, estimates that Ukraine could receive 12 to 13 Patriot batteries, though their full delivery might take up to a year. The weapons will be coordinated through the “NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine” mechanism, a mission based in Germany responsible for coordinating Western military aid to Kyiv.
American officials have identified Germany, Greece, Netherlands, and Spain as the most likely candidates for providing Patriot batteries. These countries are considered suitable either because of the multiple batteries they possess or because of the relatively small threats they face.
Although some countries, including Greece and Spain, had previously resisted calls to provide Patriot systems, arguing they are essential for their national defense, the new exchange proposal might change the dynamics.
Trump’s shift and the message to Putin
This initiative marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to the Russian invasion. Speaking to Rutte, the American president sent a clear message to Putin: “At some point, you know, eventually words don’t mean words. There have to be actions. There have to be results.” According to officials, Trump has realized that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Crimea and the four eastern regions of Ukraine.
The Russian reaction
Three Russian sources close to the Kremlin stated that Putin will not stop the war under Western pressure. The same sources argue that Russia, which has withstood the strictest sanctions imposed on it, can handle further economic difficulties, including Trump’s threat to impose American tariffs on Russian oil buyers.
American officials are now in negotiations with NATO allies to assess each country’s capabilities and willingness. The Trump administration is reviewing NATO stockpiles to determine what is available, while simultaneously developing persuasion strategies for allies.
Trump referred to one country that has 17 Patriots, some of which will be transferred directly to Ukraine. It remains unclear whether he refers to 17 complete systems or launchers, with the latter considered more likely.
Reuters emphasizes that despite the initial positive response, this is more of a general framework rather than a detailed plan. The initiative’s real success will be determined by the negotiations that follow.
