President Zelensky expresses his intention to negotiate about purchasing American weapons with Trump.
VIENNA - Amid speculations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that he will hold discussions with Donald Trump regarding the purchase of U.S. weapons during the G-7 summit. Set to take place this week in Canada, the summit presents a significant opportunity for dialogue.
"We're not grappling with new aid demands right now," Zelensky clarified during his Vienna visit. "One of the key topics I'll bring up with President Trump is the defense package Ukraine is eager to acquire."
The Ukrainian president, who has spearheaded his country's resistance against Russian forces for more than three years, expressed concern about the thought of living without U.S. assistance. "I can't even fathom, let alone tolerate... survival and battlefield combat without the backing of the United States," he stated.
Zelensky added, "I believe it's incumbent upon all of us to collaborate and make sure the alliance between America and Europe doesn't disintegrate."
During the summit, Zelensky also plans to address the prospect of leveraging frozen Russian assets and imposing sanctions. "We aim to leverage Russian assets frozen globally and tighten sanctions," he shared.
While in Vienna, Zelensky spoke alongside Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. According to Zelensky's office statement, their discussions centered around Austria's potential contributions to Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, including landmine clearance, energy cooperation, and food security.
Van der Bellen noted that while Austria adheres to a policy of neutrality, it is not political in its approach. Historically, Austria boasted cordial relations with Russia, but ties have weakened over the past three years due to the Ukraine conflict.
It's essential to note that as Ukraine's discussions with the U.S. evolve, they're influenced by various factors, including policy shifts in Washington and the ongoing conflict with Russia. The recent escalation between Israel and Iran might impact the flow of aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Europe is exploring the possibility of purchasing American weapons independently to support Ukraine, given that European production can't fully meet their needs. The ongoing discussions highlight Ukraine's need for sustained international support in its struggle against Russia.
"The ongoing discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump regarding the purchase of U.S. weapons are not solely about military aid, but also encompass the broader context of war-and-conflicts and politics. The Ukrainian president's plea for weapons also signifies general-news, as it reflects global concerns about the ongoing conflict with Russia."
"Additionally, Europe's exploration of independently purchasing American weapons to support Ukraine underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing war-and-conflicts, which is a significant aspect of global politics and general-news."
