Zelenskyy Urges European Allies to Buy US Weaponry in Brussels

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on June 17, 2026, for a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at reinforcing Ukraine's defense against Russian ballistic missile attacks. During meetings at NATO headquarters and an EU summit, he urged allies to accelerate the procurement of US weaponry, specifically Patriot air defense missiles, long-range artillery, and unmanned ground vehicles. Zelenskyy argued that strengthening these capabilities would force Russia toward a diplomatic resolution.

In response, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden expressed willingness to fund two US weaponry packages valued at approximately $1 billion. These efforts follow a meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the G7, with US and UK officials emphasizing the need to maintain Ukrainian battlefield momentum. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that European allies and Canada increased core defense investments by over $90 billion in 2025 to enhance collective security.

On the sidelines of the summit, Zelenskyy held bilateral talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss European integration and security. He also met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico; while Fico noted that the two leaders hold differing perspectives on certain issues, he characterized the dialogue as open and constructive.