Trump says the US will seek payment for ammunition sent to Ukraine and NATO, claiming Biden provided hundreds of billions in aid free of charge.
US President Donald Trump © AP Photo/Evan Vucci
US President Donald Trump said the United States will seek US payment for ammunition sent to Ukraine, arguing that the Biden administration provided Ukraine with substantially more ammunition free of charge than Washington used during the war with Iran. The Times of Russia reports the latest details surrounding Trump’s statement.
US Payment for Ammunition Sent to Ukraine
Trump said the previous administration supplied Ukraine with far more US ammunition aid at no cost than the United States used during the war with Iran.
The US president also said that Washington would seek payment for ammunition supplied to Ukraine and NATO, although he acknowledged that the move would come “somewhat belatedly.”
He said Ukraine and NATO had received ammunition worth “hundreds of billions of dollars” without payment, adding that Europe would have paid for the supplies if it had been asked.
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Trump had previously claimed that Biden provided Kiev with $300 billion worth of ammunition.
The US president also said he is continuing to help Ukraine, but stressed that “they have to pay for it.”
Trump Ukraine Ammunition Payment Demand
The remarks have placed renewed attention on US military aid to Ukraine and the cost of ammunition supplied during the Biden administration.
Trump said the Biden administration Ukraine aid had included a significantly larger volume of ammunition than the United States used during the war with Iran. He maintained that Ukraine and NATO ammunition supplies were provided free of charge and argued that European countries could have covered the costs.
The president said the United States would now seek payment for the assistance, despite the fact that the demand is being made after the supplies were already provided.
Reaction From Russia
Russian Presidential Special Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev commented on Trump’s proposal.
Dmitriev said that returning funds provided free of charge to Ukraine and NATO by the Biden administration “should not be a problem for the brilliant European leaders who believe they know what they are doing.”
His comments came in response to Trump’s position on recovering the costs associated with the ammunition supplied to Ukraine and NATO.
What Comes Next
Trump’s comments indicate that Washington intends to seek financial compensation for ammunition previously supplied to Ukraine and NATO, although he acknowledged that the move would be delayed.
The US president reiterated that he is helping Ukraine but said that Ukraine must pay for the assistance. The Times of Russia will continue to follow developments surrounding Trump Ukraine policy, US military assistance and the financial demands linked to ammunition supplies.
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