17 Patriot systems for Ukraine? Intelligence weighs in on Trump’s promise
Photo: Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence is still unsure what exactly US President Donald Trump meant when he promised 17 Patriot systems for Ukraine, stated Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, in a comment to The Guardian.
"We don’t know exactly (what Trump meant - ed.)," Skibitskyi said, adding that Ukraine is grateful for the support and welcomes statements from the White House.
Skibitskyi suggested that Trump may have been referring to the transfer of interceptor missiles, launchers, or full batteries, each consisting of several launchers, radars, and control systems, each worth more than a billion dollars.
"Seventeen is a huge number if we are talking about batteries. If it’s launchers, that’s possible," he added.
The Major General also confirmed that Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possible delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles during a phone call in early July, but no final decision has been made yet.
Trump’s statement
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that one country is preparing to send 17 Patriot systems because it will no longer need them.
According to the American leader, most of these systems will soon be on the battlefield.
Trump made this statement while speaking to reporters alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. A significant portion of the discussion focused on aid to Ukraine.
