Washington, DC [US], July 14 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that Washington will send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, but emphasized that the European Union will fully cover the cost, citing concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing aerial assaults against Kyiv.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump criticized Putin’s “deceptive” tactics amid escalating attacks on Ukraine and outlined his administration’s position on supporting Kyiv.
“I’m going to have a meeting with the (NATO) Secretary General, who’s coming in tomorrow, but we basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military [equipment]. They’re going to pay us 100 percent for them, and that’s the way we want it,” Trump said. “As we send equipment, they’re going to reimburse us for that equipment. That’s the way it should have been a long time ago.”
Trump did not specify how many Patriot systems would be sent, but acknowledged Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense. “I haven’t agreed on the number yet, but they’re going to have some because they do need protection. But the European Union is paying for it. We’re not paying anything for it, but we will send it. It’ll be business for us,” he said.
Trump also took aim at Putin’s recent escalations: “Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nicely, and then he bombs everybody in the evening. There’s a little bit of a problem there, and I don’t like it.”
Earlier on Thursday, Trump had announced that the US would supply weapons to NATO allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine — an arrangement confirmed Friday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio noted this route was faster than shipping directly from American factories, according to Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said high-level talks with the US are planned this week to discuss further military support. He welcomed the restoration of US aid shipments after what he described as positive signals from Washington and European allies.
“We have received political signals at the highest level, good signals, including from the United States and from our European friends,” Zelenskyy said. “We will continue our work next week with the American side at the military level; in particular, our military will be working with General Keith Kellogg.”
General Kellogg, the US President’s Assistant and Special Envoy for Ukraine, is expected in Kyiv for the discussions.
This renewed commitment comes after reports last week that the Trump administration had temporarily paused certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine while reviewing US military spending and foreign aid.
The resumption of support followed Russia’s July 4 attack on Kyiv, in which more than 500 drones and 11 missiles were launched, killing at least one person, injuring 23 others, and causing widespread damage, Al Jazeera reported, citing Ukrainian authorities. (ANI)
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