Europe Ready To Buy US Weapons For Ukraine, But Needs Details From Trump Scheme

JAKARTA A number of European countries have agreed to buy US weapons for Ukraine under a scheme announced by US President Donald Trump, although details still need to be formulated.

Trump on Monday said Washington would supply Patriot air defense systems, missiles, and other weapons to Ukraine for the war against Russia's invasion. The weapons will be paid for by other NATO countries.

However, there are still many that have not been disclosed, including the number and type of weapons that will be provided, how fast the supply will be, and how much will be paid.

US officials have signaled European countries are willing to hand over some of their weapons stocks to Ukraine and then buy a replacement from the United States.

However, some countries involved say they don't even know what they're asking for.

Such a move will deliver weapons to Ukraine more quickly, but will make the defense of donor countries more vulnerable until the new system is ready.

"We are ready to participate. Of course we can't do it alone, we need other partners but we are ready," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday, July 15, ahead of a meeting of EU ministers.

Speaking with Trump at the White House on Monday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Britain, the Netherlands, and Canada wanted to be part of the new initiative.

Many of these countries are the largest military aid donors to Ukraine, both overall and per capita.

When asked if Denmark could provide US with weapons from its own stock as part of the scheme, Rasmussen admitted that he did not have such a system.

"So if we have to compromise, and we're really ready to do it, it will be done with money and we have to finish the details," he continued.

European ministers say they now need to check how new US weapons purchases can be financed. In many cases, it appears to involve countries working together to buy US weapons systems.

"Now we need to see how we can come in and finance together, among others, the Patriots, which they plan to send to Ukraine," Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told Swedish radio.

In Brussels, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country was reviewing the plan "with a positive trend".

When asked about the scheme, Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik told Reuters Oslo had a close dialogue with Ukraine over military and air defense assistance remains a high priority for Ukraine and for Norway's military support.

"Norway has contributed a significant amount of air defense to Ukraine, including joint financing for Patriot system donations and missiles," he said.

Finland's Ministry of Defense said Helsinki would continue to provide material support to Ukraine.

"Details of US initiatives are not yet known and we are interested in hearing more about them before we can take more concrete steps on this issue," the statement said.