Ukraine is preparing a major arms deal with the United States worth $100 billion, according to media reports. The agreement, to be financed by European countries, is linked to Kyiv’s demand for long-term security guarantees if a peace deal with Russia is reached.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has also put forward a separate $50 billion proposal to jointly produce drones with American defence companies. While no official details have been released, the move underscores Kyiv’s push to strengthen its defence capacity even as peace efforts gather momentum.
Earlier, Ukraine had requested 10 Patriot missile defence systems from Washington to shield its cities and strategic centres from Russian air strikes. However, the US has not responded positively to this request. To offset such setbacks, Kyiv has pitched plans to produce weapons domestically in cooperation with American firms, though reports suggest Washington remains reluctant to transfer sensitive military technologies.
Zelensky’s discussions with US President Donald Trump formed part of wider diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war. Both leaders reviewed options for a Putin–Zelensky peace summit, which, if it takes place, would be the first direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents since the conflict began. Talks centred on how to secure Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevent future aggression.
The peace initiative has drawn broad international participation. Seven European leaders are actively involved alongside Trump include, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Meier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubbs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump’s much-hyped peace mediations appear to be ending in the same pattern, loud promises but little substance. His attempts to project himself as the dealmaker in Ukraine have collapsed under the weight of ground realities, exposing the hollowness of his diplomacy. Much like his earlier fake claims of “mediating” during India’s Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan, Trump’s current posturing relies more on self-promotion than substance. What remains are hollow boasts of mediation, echoing only through social media theatrics rather than genuine achievements on the path to peace.
