The Trump administration is set to encourage European allies to increase their purchases of American weapons for Ukraine in anticipation of possible peace negotiations with Moscow, according to two sources familiar with the situation. This initiative could enhance Kyiv’s leverage in the talks.

Should this plan be formalized, it would provide some reassurance to Ukrainian officials concerned that President Donald Trump might halt further assistance to their country, which has been gradually losing ground amid intense Russian offensives in the east.

During the Biden administration, European nations had already acquired American arms for Ukraine. U.S. representatives, including Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, are expected to engage in discussions regarding potential arms purchases with European partners at the Munich Security Conference this week, the sources indicated.

This is one of several strategies the administration is considering to sustain U.S. arms shipments to Kyiv without significantly depleting U.S. resources, they noted.

In a Monday interview with Reuters, Kellogg refrained from confirming the specifics of the plan but remarked, “The U.S. always favors selling American-made weapons as it bolsters our economy. There are numerous options available. Everything is currently on the table,” he stated, adding that the shipments authorized by former President Joe Biden continue to arrive in Ukraine. “There’s no immediate necessity to alter that in the next 24 hours,” he concluded.

U.S. officials have recently indicated that the Trump administration aims to recover the billions spent by Washington on the war in Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe must increase its support. U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated in an NBC News interview on Sunday that it is essential for Europeans to take ownership of the conflict moving forward. The Ukrainian embassy in Washington has not yet responded to requests for comment.

It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will request European nations to acquire American weapons through commercial contracts or directly from U.S. military reserves, as some commercial agreements can take years to finalize. The Trump administration has been deliberating for weeks on the approach to continue military support for Ukraine. During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to halt all aid to Ukraine; however, some advisers have suggested that Washington should maintain military assistance to Kyiv, particularly if peace negotiations are postponed until later this year.

President Biden authorized over $65 billion in security aid to Ukraine during his administration, including substantial amounts in the final months. Nevertheless, officials in Kyiv, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have expressed that Ukraine requires more security assurances before engaging in discussions with Moscow. The Trump administration may encounter considerable resistance from certain Republicans if it seeks additional funding from Congress.

Administration officials consider a potential arms purchase agreement with Europe as a viable solution, enabling Washington to assist Kyiv without utilizing U.S. taxpayer funds. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte indicated last month that Europe would finance U.S. arms for Ukraine.

“THE BRINK OF A BREAKUP”

Washington and Moscow have presented conflicting narratives regarding the likelihood of peace negotiations, raising questions about the Trump administration’s ability to persuade both Ukraine and Russia to engage in discussions in the near future. Trump stated on Sunday that he has been in communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin and believes the United States is making headway in its efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov informed reporters that relations with Washington are “balancing on the brink of a breakup,” asserting that Ukraine must abandon its NATO membership aspirations and withdraw from territories occupied by Russian forces.

Two government sources indicated that the White House is likely several months away from finalizing a peace plan to cease hostilities and must address various other issues before facilitating negotiations. Several U.S. officials are currently in Europe to help lay the groundwork for potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg intends to engage with European leaders at the Munich Security Conference regarding increased support for Kyiv. He stated, “I wouldn’t characterize this as the start of the [peace planning process] since we have been contemplating it for some time.” He also mentioned that U.S. officials will convene with their European counterparts this week to communicate their expectations to the allies. “More importantly, we want to hear from them,” he emphasized.

Additionally, U.S. officials are looking to establish a mineral agreement with Ukraine, which would grant the U.S. access to the nation’s abundant resources in return for ongoing assistance. The specifics of this arrangement have not been disclosed. The development of Ukraine’s mineral reserves is expected to take several years, and immediate profits from sales are unlikely. However, the Trump administration considers this deal a vital aspect of its strategy regarding Ukraine.