Ukraine seeks \$150B arms, drones for US guarantees.
Ukraine has reportedly circulated ambitious proposals among its European partners ahead of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The plan includes a request for \$100 billion in advanced weapons and an additional \$50 billion for drones, aimed at securing long-term US security guarantees. Kyiv believes such agreements are essential to strengthening its defense against ongoing Russian aggression and ensuring regional stability.
Ukraine is once again making headlines with its ambitious push for long-term security guarantees from the United States, as the war with Russia grinds on into another difficult phase. According to reports, Kyiv has proposed a sweeping defense package worth \$100 billion in US weapons, a deal that it hopes could be largely funded by its European partners. Alongside this massive request, Ukraine has also put forward a separate proposal: a \$50 billion agreement with American companies to jointly produce drones, a move that highlights the central role of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.
The proposals, first detailed in a report by the Financial Times, are part of Ukraine’s broader vision for its security architecture after the guns eventually fall silent. The plan is not merely about surviving the present conflict but about ensuring that Ukraine is never again left so vulnerable in the face of aggression. Kyiv is signaling that when peace talks with Moscow eventually reach a settlement, the guarantees of American security support must already be firmly in place.
The \$100 billion weapons package is striking not only for its size but also for its timing. With the US presidential election campaign heating up, Ukraine is working to lock in commitments that will survive political shifts in Washington. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to raise these proposals during his upcoming visit to the White House, where he is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump. For Kyiv, this is a pivotal opportunity: it wants assurances that the United States will stand behind it long-term, regardless of political winds.
The second component, the \$50 billion drone production deal with US firms, reflects lessons learned on the battlefield. Over the past two years, drones have transformed into decisive tools of both offense and defense—used for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and even to overwhelm enemy positions. By proposing joint production, Ukraine hopes not only to strengthen its immediate military capabilities but also to foster deeper industrial ties with the United States, effectively binding the two countries’ defense sectors together.
European partners, meanwhile, are watching these proposals carefully. While the weapons package is intended to be funded by Europe, some EU capitals may balk at the sheer scale of the request. Yet Ukraine’s argument is straightforward: by investing now, Europe ensures that Russian aggression is contained within Ukraine’s borders and does not spill further westward. For many European nations, still haunted by memories of past wars and increasingly nervous about Moscow’s intentions, this reasoning may prove persuasive.
At its core, Ukraine’s proposals highlight both the desperation and the determination of a country that has paid an enormous price for defending its sovereignty. The \$150 billion package is not simply about money—it is about trust, survival, and the future of Ukraine as an independent nation. Whether Washington and European capitals embrace this sweeping vision remains uncertain, but Kyiv’s message is clear: lasting peace will only be possible if it is underwritten by ironclad guarantees.