Egypt Daily News – Amid escalating Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine, the United States is turning to a strategic workaround to continue arming Kyiv: selling advanced weapons systems to NATO allies in Europe, who then pass them on to Ukraine. According to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the approach is designed to speed up delivery of critical military equipment while bypassing political hurdles at home.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons 100%,” Trump said in a Thursday interview with NBC News. “The weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is giving those weapons to Ukraine.”
Secretary Rubio emphasized the logistical advantage of this model. “It’s a lot faster to move something from Germany to Ukraine than it is to order it from a U.S. factory,” he said during a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Though NATO as an alliance does not supply weapons itself, member states are facilitating deliveries to Ukraine by transferring their existing stockpiles of U.S.-made systems, such as the Patriot air defense system. These are being replenished by new purchases from the U.S., streamlining support for Kyiv’s defense against an intensifying Russian campaign.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed the effort: “Allies continue to work to ensure that Ukraine has the support they need to defend themselves against Russia’s aggression. This includes urgent efforts to procure key supplies from the United States, including air defense and ammunition.”
Ukraine has specifically requested an additional ten Patriot batteries to bolster its air defenses. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Germany has agreed to provide two systems, and Norway one. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that Germany is prepared to acquire more Patriots from the U.S. and redirect them to Ukraine. “We stand ready,” Merz said, adding that he had discussed the issue with Trump the previous week.
Rubio noted that several NATO countries, including Spain and Germany, already possess Patriot systems or have pending orders, making them key candidates for such transfers. “We can enter into financial agreements with them, where they can purchase the replacements,” he said.
This arrangement provides a potential workaround to the uncertain political environment in Washington, where future U.S. aid to Ukraine faces possible congressional gridlock. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, backed the approach. “Europe can pay for them,” he said in Rome, where he was attending a Ukraine recovery conference. “We have the best weapons. They know how to use them.”
Alongside Patriots, other weapons under consideration include advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, shorter-range systems, and Howitzer rounds, according to a person familiar with internal White House discussions.
The urgency of the deliveries has been heightened by a renewed Russian offensive. Earlier this week, Russia launched one of its largest aerial barrages of the war, firing over 700 drones at Ukrainian targets. Ukraine’s military has struggled to intercept many of these attacks, which have damaged civilian infrastructure and resulted in dozens of casualties. A drone strike in Kharkiv on Friday injured nine and hit a maternity hospital, while another strike in Odesa also wounded several civilians.
Zelenskyy has called for expedited delivery of both missiles and interceptor drones. “We found a solution. That’s the key,” he said, referencing a new $6.2 million project, dubbed Clear Sky, that aims to develop an integrated drone interception system. It includes new drone purchases, mobile response units, and operator training.
June marked one of the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with over 230 killed and more than 1,300 injured, according to the U.N. human rights office.
Trump’s stance on Russia has also shown signs of hardening. During a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, he expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the war “a conflict that’s killing a lot of people on both sides.” He also previewed a “major statement” on Russia expected early next week.
Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy, previously strained, appear to be warming. After a tense meeting in February, both leaders spoke by phone last week. Zelenskyy described the recent discussions as “very constructive.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has also weighed in, confirming that he spoke with Trump on Thursday and has urged member states to increase deliveries of air defense systems and ammunition to Ukraine. “We’re now working closely with allies to get Ukraine the help they need,” Rutte said in a statement.
With the war nearing its fourth year, the U.S.-NATO weapons channel may become a critical supply line for Ukraine’s defense, one that could insulate the effort from domestic political volatility while accelerating much-needed aid on the ground.
