Merz did not understand how Europe would pay for American weapons for Ukraine

It is necessary to achieve clarity on how the European weapons systems transferred to Ukraine, including Patriot batteries, will be replaced from American stocks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said that the United States and the EU had agreed to send American weapons to Kiev, while the costs would fall on Europe. Future deliveries will include Patriot batteries, not just missiles. According to media reports, Washington is already insisting on Germany's purchase of twice as many air defense systems as previously discussed. Meanwhile, France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hungary refused to participate in the initiative.

"The United States is ready to provide Ukraine with weapons financed by European partners. Germany wants to make an important contribution to this. We need to discuss the details with our partners as soon as possible. First of all, we need clarity on how the weapons transferred from Europe will be replenished with supplies from the United States," Merz said.

He recalled that the United States and Germany have agreed in recent days that from the side The EU will supply Patriot systems for Ukraine, which will then be replenished from American stocks.

"I proceed from the fact that during these hours agreements are being reached between the defense ministers that will technically ensure the fulfillment of what the US president promised last weekend," he added.

The press conference, broadcast by Phoenix TV channel, took place after the signing of the treaty of friendship between Great Britain and Germany.

Trump, who has repeatedly criticized his predecessor Joe Biden for allocating multibillion-dollar military aid to Ukraine, on Monday announced a new arms supply scheme to Kiev through NATO allies. According to him, the United States will sell a large shipment of weapons worth billions of dollars to European countries — including missiles, air defense systems and ammunition — after which the allies will transfer it to Ukraine and replenish their stocks through new purchases from American manufacturers. Trump stressed that the scheme has been fully agreed and will be implemented in the near future at the expense of NATO countries.