International

Trump demands Europe reimburse U.S. Ukraine aid

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will demand European nations reimburse Washington for past military aid and ammunition provided to Ukraine to counter Russia's ongoing invasion.

Writing on social media, Trump dismissed reports that U.S. stockpiles were depleted following military engagements with Iran, asserting that domestic defense manufacturing is accelerating, Reuters reported.

“In addition, we are producing ammunition at unprecedented levels. We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that may occur. We are keeping it for ourselves, for the U.S., rather than selling it to others, but sales to allies will restart soon,” Trump wrote.

“Also, please note that the Biden administration gave Ukraine much more ammunition, at no cost to it, than we used in Iran. Hundreds of billions of dollars were given freely to Ukraine and NATO, an amount Europe would have paid had it been asked, but we will demand this money, even if somewhat belatedly!” he added.

Allied defense funding under scrutiny

Last year, the United States and NATO launched the PURL initiative, a financing framework under which European allies fund the transfer of American armaments to Kyiv.

Reuters reported last month that the U.S. military expended a substantial share of its precision-guided, long-range missile reserves during operations involving Iran, triggering debate regarding broader defense readiness.

Both the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the accompanying economic shocks, could shape voter sentiment as Republicans seek to retain their congressional majorities next year.

Oil prices reached six-week highs on Thursday amid U.S. strikes on Iranian targets and renewed Israeli threats against Tehran, escalating supply concerns as vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday attributed the spike in oil and gas prices partly to Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.

“We are facing an energy shock caused by both the war in Ukraine—because, as you know, Ukraine decided to destroy Russian energy infrastructure and refined products, which is putting upward pressure on global prices—and the conflict in Iran,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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