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Kyiv Continues Negotiations for a Large Arms Deal with the United States
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed Kyiv’s efforts to extend a major arms deal with the United States, estimated to be worth around $90 billion, according to media reports. He explained at a press conference in Kyiv that Ukraine has provided U.S. President Donald Trump with detailed specifications of its military needs, including requests for long-range weapons systems. He added, "We discussed and agreed on the main points with the President. Now we are starting practical implementation."
Zelensky pointed out that Ukrainian officials will travel to the United States later this month or in October to conduct technical discussions regarding weapon purchases, as well as a separate agreement for the production of drones. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko will meet with American officials next month to discuss joint investment projects within the investment fund agreed upon last spring.
In the context of these meetings, Zelensky, who met with President Trump last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, stated that Ukraine discussed with Washington its perspectives and responses to Russia’s actions in the ongoing war. He clarified that Ukrainian requests to the U.S. include all military needs, and indicated Kyiv’s readiness to sign separate agreements on specific types of weapons, especially long-range systems, although details are not yet disclosed.
He also confirmed that the Israeli-made Patriot system has been operating in Ukraine since last month, and that Kyiv will receive two additional systems in the coming months, without revealing the source. Zelensky warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not halt the aggression against Ukraine, pointing to Moscow’s recent test of European air defenses through incursions into NATO countries, and warned that Putin might open other paths to continue escalating.
