Trump pledges Patriot missiles to Ukraine, says Nato will pay
The comments mark a shift in his approach to the war and come as his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued aggression has grown
President Donald Trump on Sunday said Washington would send Patriot air defence systems to Kyiv and hinted at new sanctions on Russia, once again voicing displeasure with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The US president’s announcement of the much-needed weapons for Ukraine came after he earlier said he would make a “major statement on Russia” on Monday.
The announcement could come amid a diplomatic flurry set for Monday, with the US special envoy starting his latest trip to Ukraine and Trump set to meet with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine has lasted for more than three years, with attacks intensifying this summer and US-led negotiations so far yielding no results to end the fighting.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump said on Sunday, without specifying how many weapons he would send to Ukraine.
“I haven’t agreed on the number yet, but they’re going to have some because they do need protection,” he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews as he returned from watching the Fifa Club World Cup final in New Jersey.