'Producing and stockpiling ammunition at unprecedented levels… sales to allies coming soon'

Trump blasts media reports on depleted US weapons stockpiles as 'treasonous garbage'

US President Donald Trump speaks during an "End of Summer Barbecue" event with Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Wednesday (local time). [EPA]
US President Donald Trump speaks during an "End of Summer Barbecue" event with Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Wednesday (local time). [EPA]

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US President Donald Trump said Thursday (local time) that he would demand repayment of hundreds of billions of dollars given free of charge to Ukraine and NATO.

Trump made the claim on his Truth Social platform while lashing out at US media reports about depleted American weapons stockpiles, asserting that the Joe Biden administration had given Ukraine more ammunition at no cost than the United States spent in Iran.

"Hundreds of billions of dollars have been given, for free, to Ukraine and NATO — costs that Europe should have paid," Trump said. "It may be a little late, but we will be asking for that money."

Trump called the media reports on weapons stockpile depletion "treasonous garbage" and rebuffed them, insisting the United States holds near-unlimited quantities of mid- and high-grade ammunition.

He went on to say, "On top of that, we are producing ammunition at unprecedented levels and stockpiling for any contingency that may arise," adding that while the US was holding ammunition for its own use rather than selling it elsewhere, "sales to allies will begin soon."

Trump did not specify how he intended to seek repayment of the hundreds of billions of dollars, but he appeared to have in mind demanding compensation for US support as part of trade and security negotiations with the EU.

Trump has publicly criticized NATO, South Korea, Japan and others, saying they failed to cooperate with the United States during the Iran war.


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