We are grateful for this program and this opportunity. We also thank Europe, as they are covering the costs.

Axar.az reports that these were the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky thanked the United States and European countries for NATO’s new weapons initiative, explaining that the program enables NATO members to purchase weapons from the U.S. and send them to Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump also welcomed the program, stating that through it, the U.S. does not directly supply weapons to Ukraine but simply sells military equipment to its allies.

Zelensky emphasized that U.S. weapons — particularly air defense systems — are vital for Ukraine’s protection:

“No one in Europe has as many Patriot systems as the U.S. We desperately need these weapons,” he said.