President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the United States will send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in a renewed push to bolster the country’s defense against Russian attacks.
This marks a notable shift in his administration’s posture amid growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump said, although he did not disclose the number of systems to be deployed. His announcement comes just two weeks after Washington had paused certain weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
The aid will reportedly be part of a new arrangement requiring NATO to pay the U.S. in full for advanced military equipment supplied to Ukraine. “We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military and they’re going to pay us 100 percent for them,” Trump said.
The U.S. president also voiced disappointment in Putin, with whom he initially aimed to negotiate peace upon returning to office in January. “Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump remarked.
Amid the shift in tone, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg is expected in Ukraine on Monday, while Trump plans to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the same day and deliver a major statement concerning Russia.
What you should know
President Trump has approved the delivery of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, signaling a tougher stance on Russia after earlier efforts to broker peace fell short. This also introduces a new policy where NATO allies must reimburse the U.S. for military aid sent to Kyiv.
