Ukraine Asks to Buy $50 billion of USA Weapons

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Ukraine’s President Volodomir Zelenskyy said the country is willing to pay $50 billion to buy more air defenses and military help from the USA, rather than receiving it as aid.

He suggested buying advanced weaponry from the USA would make Ukraine a more conventional customer instead of a recipient of largesse. “We understand that this administration won’t do anything for free,” he said.

So far the USA has provided about $70 billion in weapons and $51 billion in financial aid to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion. Donald Trump has been pressuring Ukraine to give the USA half the value of its rare earth minerals and concede territory to Russia. In February, Trump said, “I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up. We’re asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get.”

Europe has given $54 billion in weaponry so far, but has pledged to step up with $126 billion in further military and financial assistance as the USA has begun pulling support away.

Ukraine’s offer to buy instead of receiving aid as a gift from the USA presents a quandary for Trump.

If he accepts, Ukraine has shown that they will make good use of the materials against Russia’s invading army. That would offend Trump’s friend President Putin of Russia.

If Trump refuses the offer, he betrays his self-portrait as a dealmaker by turning down billions in revenue, giving dictator Putin priority over boosting USA jobs, and turning aside an opportunity to partially make up for orders other countries have cancelled for USA military equipment because they say the USA is no longer reliable.

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