Trump Seeks Europe Repayment for U.S. Ukraine Military Aid

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to ask European nations to reimburse the United States for military aid and munitions previously supplied to Ukraine, while signaling that U.S. weapons sales to allies could temporarily slow as Washington rebuilds its own stockpiles.

In a social media post, Trump criticized reports that U.S. ammunition reserves have been heavily depleted, particularly during the ongoing conflict with Iran. He said the United States is increasing weapons production and prioritizing domestic military inventories before resuming sales to allied countries.

“We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin,” Trump wrote.

Trump also argued that European governments should have covered more of the cost of supporting Ukraine during the war with Russia. He blamed former President Joe Biden’s administration for providing substantial assistance without demanding sufficient reimbursement from Europe.

The United States and NATO established the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative last year, allowing European countries to finance purchases of U.S.-made weapons destined for Ukraine.

Concerns about American military readiness have intensified amid the separate Iran war. Reuters reported last month that the U.S. Army had consumed much of its inventory of highly accurate long-range missiles during the conflict, raising questions about available stockpiles for potential future crises.

The wars in Ukraine and Iran are also creating economic and political pressures ahead of next year’s U.S. congressional elections, when Republicans will seek to retain control of both chambers.

Oil markets have reflected those geopolitical risks. Brent crude reached fresh six-week highs Thursday as new U.S. strikes on Iran and renewed Israeli threats against Tehran heightened concerns over Middle East supply disruptions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also linked rising energy prices to both conflicts, arguing that Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and the Iran war are contributing to upward pressure on global oil and gas prices.