DeKalb GA News

President Donald Trump has announced plans for Ukraine to repay the $350 billion that the United States provided to support its defense against Russia. Speaking to reporters before his departure to Daytona Beach for the Daytona 500, Trump emphasized that Ukraine would be expected to return this substantial financial aid.

During a brief question-and-answer session, President Trump stated, "He’s going to have to do what he has to do, but his poll numbers aren’t particularly great, to put it mildly." He noted that Ukraine's army had shown bravery despite the circumstances and highlighted the financial contributions made by both the U.S. and Europe. According to Trump, "we’ve given him, in my opinion, $350 billion" while Europe contributed approximately "$100 billion" as loans.

Trump mentioned that his Secretary of Treasury was actively working in Ukraine on securing documentation for repayment assurances. He said, "And I have a Secretary of Treasury right now who’s actually quite brave. He’s over in Ukraine on a train...he’s going there to get a document done where we’re going to be assured that we’re going to, in some form, get this money back."

The President criticized previous U.S. administrations for their approach toward financial aid distribution and emphasized the need for security on future monetary support: "We’re getting security on our money...we want it secured."

In response to whether further aid would be sent without conditions, Trump clarified: "No, we are [sending more aid], but we want it secured."

In related developments reported by Larry Jones Jr., Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected an offer involving rare earth metals proposed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent as part of these repayment discussions.