Ukraine celebrates Trump's weapons reversal, but the 'devil's in the details'

President Donald Trump has found a strategy he can support for arming Ukraine: persuading European allies to donate their military equipment, with the United States supplying replacements.

The approach now faces a significant hurdle- deciding which countries will part with advanced systems, such as the highly sought-after Patriot missile batteries Kyiv urgently needs.

"We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to NATO", Trump declared from the Oval Office.

He added that some Patriot systems are expected to arrive in Ukraine "within days", though this timeline is viewed sceptically by some in Washington and Europe.

The Patriots, in high demand among U.S. allies have proven effective in intercepting Russian ballistic missiles aimed at Ukrainian cities. However, sourcing them is complex.

A source familiar with the plan said the U.S. may also send more offensive weapons under the proposed arrangement. Still, Trump has cautioned that Ukraine should not target Moscow directly.

According to two individuals sources with knowledge of the discussions, the framework was developed recently between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. While Kyiv and European capitals have welcomed this shift in tone from Trump, who previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, the proposal lacks detailed execution.

Ten Western officials noted that the success of the plan will depend on ongoing negotiations over who will supply what.

"As always with these things, the devil is in the details", remarked a northern European ambassador in Washington.

Who will give up Patriots?

During their Oval Office meeting, Rutte cited six NATO countries - Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada, as willing to join the new weapons scheme.

Diplomatic sources from two of those countries told Reuters they only learned of the plan as Trump announced it, suggesting even close allies were not briefed beforehand.

"It is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance", said another European ambassador, who added that "internally in the administration they are only now beginning to sort out what it means in practice".

Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, described Trump’s strategy as politically savvy: getting Europe to foot the bill for American arms aligns with his campaign rhetoric.

"Very consistent with what he said during the campaign", Volker noted.

Volker estimated Ukraine could eventually receive 12 to 13 Patriot batteries, but delivery could take up to a year.

NATO, through its Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine programme based in Germany, will coordinate deliveries. A NATO official said several countries- including Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the U.K., Canada, and Finland have already committed support. "Details are still under discussion", the official noted.

Neither the White House, Pentagon, nor Ukrainian or Russian embassies in Washington provided comments on the announcement.

Shifting tone in Washington

Trump's recent firm stance on Moscow appears rooted in growing doubts that Putin is negotiating in good faith.

"At a certain point, you know, ultimately talk doesn't talk. It's got to be action. It's got to be results," Trump said during his meeting with Rutte.

One U.S. official said Trump now believes Putin's ambitions stretch well beyond Crimea and eastern Ukraine - a point Kyiv and European allies have stressed for years.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Kremlin said Putin is unlikely to bow to Western pressure and is prepared to endure more sanctions, including Trump's threat to penalise buyers of Russian oil.

Three U.S. officials confirmed discussions are underway with NATO members to identify which weapons can be provided to Ukraine.

Denmark has already expressed its readiness. "We are ready to participate", said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Brussels.

Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Spain are seen as potential contributors, though some, such as Greece and Spain, have previously resisted such appeals, citing their own national defence needs.

Trump's efforts to claim credit for the shipments have stirred some unease in Europe. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, "If we pay for these weapons, it's our support… If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else is going to pay for it, it’s not really given by you, is it?"

Unclear logistics

One official said Trump’s team has begun examining NATO inventories and will offer trades to convince allies to part with systems, such as swapping delivery schedules or military equipment orders.

Trump also claimed that one country has 17 Patriot systems and that some will go to Ukraine- a claim that puzzled allies and lawmakers, as no NATO member besides the U.S. possesses that many. Experts speculate Trump may have referred to specific Patriot components rather than complete batteries.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who was at the Pentagon on Monday, said Berlin would explore sending Patriots to Kyiv, but added that no units would arrive "for months", likely pushing delivery past the critical summer season.

While Trump is reportedly personally involved in negotiations, another official described talks as "squishy".

So far folks have said, "We can help", the official said. "Now, what that means, we don't know".

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