United States President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. will send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, signalling renewed military support for Kyiv amid its ongoing war with Russia. He also signaled towards new sanctions on Russia which could be introduced in the near future.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews after attending the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said, “We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need.”
He did not specify the number of systems to be deployed, he confirmed that the U.S. would provide Ukraine with advanced military equipment. “They do need protection,” he added.
This announcement comes ahead of a busy diplomatic Monday, when Trump is expected to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington. Adding to this, the US special envoy is set to visit Ukraine.
Trump had announced a major shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine, following an earlier pause in weapons deliveries by the White House. Under the new plan, NATO will shoulder part of the cost for advanced U.S. military equipment sent to Kyiv.
“We’re basically going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment, and they’re going to pay us 100 percent,” Trump said. “That's the way we want it," he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently confirmed that his country is close to securing a deal for additional Patriot missile systems and interceptors.
Trump also expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” he said.
When asked about new sanctions, Trump responded, “We’re going to see what we will see tomorrow.”
