Zelenskyy: Ukraine ready to spend $ 30-50 billion to buy US defense package

 

Ukraine Proposes Multi-Billion Dollar Deal for US Military Equipment, Including Air Defense Systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is prepared to allocate tens of billions of dollars to purchase U.S. military equipment, particularly advanced air defense systems, which would serve as a long-term security guarantee for the country.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is seeking a substantial defense package from the United States—not as free aid, but as a paid arrangement. "We have communicated to the American side a large package that we want to buy in one form or another. This is our format for how we will pay for it," he told journalists.

The proposed deal includes critical air defense systems, such as the U.S.-made Patriot missile systems, which Zelenskyy described as essential for protecting Ukraine both during and after the war with Russia. "Give us the package, we will pay for it," he said, adding that Ukraine is open to different payment methods. "You want it in this fund, or we can pay you directly. We don’t care."

Concerns Over U.S. Aid and Ukraine’s War Effort

Earlier this year, Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine could face severe challenges if U.S. military assistance were reduced. In February, he stated that surviving without American support would be "very, very, very difficult," both during and after the war. However, Ukraine’s military leadership has expressed a different perspective. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, suggested that Ukraine could continue fighting even if U.S. aid were completely halted.

By March 2025, Ukraine had reportedly received about 90% of the weapons allocated under the Biden administration. However, the Trump administration, which took office earlier this year, has not yet announced new aid packages for Ukraine.

Tensions Over U.S. Military Aid and Peace Negotiations

In early March 2025, President Donald Trump temporarily paused military aid to Ukraine following a tense meeting with Zelenskyy at the Oval Office. Reports indicated that Trump demanded Ukraine show a stronger commitment to peace negotiations before aid would resume.

Meanwhile, during U.S.-mediated peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that any ceasefire agreement must include a complete halt to Western arms supplies to Ukraine. This demand has alarmed European officials, who fear that such a freeze would allow Russia to regroup and rearm while leaving Ukraine defenseless.

Ukraine’s Long-Term Security Strategy

Zelenskyy stressed that the proposed U.S. arms deal is not just about immediate battlefield needs but also about ensuring Ukraine’s security in the years ahead. "We were ready to find $30 or 50 billion for the appropriate package," he said, underscoring the strategic importance of advanced air defense systems.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the U.S. has approved approximately $182.8 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine, with about $83.4 billion disbursed as of early 2025. However, with political shifts in Washington and ongoing debates over aid, Ukraine is now pushing for a more sustainable, transactional approach to securing its military needs.

As the war continues, Ukraine’s ability to negotiate long-term defense agreements with the U.S. and other allies could prove decisive in shaping its future security—and its chances of resisting Russian aggression.