Zelenskyy: US Weapons Deal Ready—but Only Presidents Can Finalize It

At a June 13 media briefing, President Zelenskyy addressed questions about Ukraine’s efforts to purchase US weapons. He said Kyiv has prepared a comprehensive procurement package requiring approval at the presidential level, and confirmed that Ukraine is in direct talks with American companies and manufacturers on specific weapons systems.

“We have a package that we would like to purchase. A globally strong package that we intend to buy from the American side. We prepared it long ago. It has been reviewed by our side multiple times, with timing, models, and availability changing. As of today, we have such a package. We can only negotiate this package at the level of presidents. And this is a procurement package. But I will tell you honestly, we also communicate with US companies and manufacturers. This is not a secret for our American political partners. We are conducting that work as well regarding the purchase of certain weapons,” the president said.  

Earlier, Ukraine began striking Russian territory with American weapons after Washington’s recent approval, the Associated Press reported June 5, marking Kyiv’s first use of US-supplied arms in cross-border operations and underscoring a shift in Western policy to allow deeper self-defense strikes.