Trump says US sending Patriot systems to Ukraine at no cost to Americans
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will send Patriot systems and other equipment to Ukraine, according to Reuters and Bloomberg.
"We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening. But there's a little bit of a problem there. I don't like it," Trump told reporters.
However, Western media differ on what exactly the US president meant. Some outlets report he referred specifically to Patriot missiles, others say he meant the air defense systems themselves, and some suggest he meant both the systems and their missiles.
Trump also did not specify how many Patriot units he plans to send to Ukraine. However, he stated that the European Union will reimburse the US for the cost.
"We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment. They are going to pay us 100% for that, and that's the way we want it," Trump said.
A video circulating on social media shows a reporter asking Trump whether the US would send more missiles to Ukraine. In response, Trump said he had not yet decided on the quantity but confirmed that Ukraine would receive some, as they needed protection. He emphasized that the European Union would cover the costs and that the US would not be paying. He added that the transfer would be a business deal for the US and that the Patriots would be sent, as Ukraine urgently needed them.
Based on the context, it appears Trump was responding to a question specifically about missiles. However, it’s possible he was referring to both the missiles and the launch systems.
US meetings on Ukraine and potential Patriot transfer
Trump is expected to meet this week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss Ukraine and other issues.
Additionally, in an interview with the Financial Times, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he is scheduled to meet with the US Secretary of Defense today. Among other topics, they plan to discuss a proposal made last month that would allow Germany to purchase two Patriot systems for Ukraine.
