According to the latest statements by the U.S. Treasury Department, the country is selling weapons to European partners, earmarked separately for Ukraine, with a markup of about 10%. These words were uttered during an interview on Fox News, where the minister explained that part of the costs could partly cover military aid, and the overall strategy envisions recouping the invested funds after the war ends through an economic partnership with Ukraine. Such statements highlight Washington’s desire to combine defense support with economic cooperation mechanisms.
“We have created this economic partnership that, as soon as the conflict stops, can bring substantial benefits to American taxpayers. We will be able to recover our investments. If Ukraine does well, it will be good for us as well. But for this to happen the conflict must end. We are already launching separate investments. President Trump acts with caution and prudence”
On August 18, there was a bilateral exchange of views between the U.S. president and the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky characterized the meeting as “successful” and stressed that issues related to territorial compromises should be discussed only in a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
“successful”
Following the talks, the leaders discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and the possibility of expanding trilateral formats in the future. The situation on the battlefield and the need to increase arms supplies were also discussed. The Ukrainian president noted that funding for modernizing the army, including air defense systems, should become a key element of the nation’s future security guarantees.
Together with Zelensky, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined the meetings in the Oval Office to discuss joint actions to ensure security in the region.
Following the meetings, the U.S. president announced plans to organize a meeting between Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, after which a trilateral meeting involving the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine may take place. Such steps indicate intensified coordination between European and U.S. partner countries on security, defense, and possible trilateral formats in the future.
Outlook for negotiations and security
The current development underscores continued close coordination between the United States, Europe, and Ukraine, with a focus on strengthening defense and examining the prospects of trilateral formats in the long term.
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