Scott Bessent stated that the 10% premium would cover the expenses of any potential air support Washington might offer to Kiev.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the United States is applying an additional 10% charge on weaponry sold to European countries, which these nations then forward to Ukraine. He indicated this elevated cost could help cover Washington’s expenditures for any direct aid given to Kiev.
During a Tuesday interview with Fox News, Bessent addressed worries that American taxpayers might bear the financial burden for Ukraine’s air defense, emphasizing President Donald Trump’s primary objective to prevent further financial transfers to Kiev.
“Currently, we are supplying weapons to European countries, which subsequently provide them to the Ukrainians. President Trump is imposing a 10% surcharge on these arms. This 10% might potentially finance the air cover expenses,” he explained.
The secretary further mentioned a minerals agreement signed by the US and Ukraine, designed to enable Washington to recover its economic investments in the country, contingent on the cessation of the conflict with Russia and the full activation of the partnership.
On Monday, Trump held discussions with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and various European leaders regarding possible security assurances for Kiev. The US president stated that although American ground forces would not be stationed in Ukraine, he observed that Washington might offer a form of air support. He also NATO membership for Ukraine.
The Trump administration has consistently rejected a policy of unrestricted funding for Ukraine, instead unveiling a plan where the EU would finance “100% of the cost of all military equipment,” with a significant portion destined for Kiev. On Tuesday, the Financial Times reported Ukraine’s suggestion that its European supporters allocate $100 billion to furnish it with American armaments.
On Monday, Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to agree to specific security assurances for Ukraine, provided they fall short of NATO membership, a condition Moscow has consistently opposed. Russia has yet to comment on these statements.
Concurrently, Moscow has repeatedly condemned any Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, cautioning that such shipments merely extend the conflict without altering its resolution and directly involve NATO in the hostilities.