US may supply medium-range missiles and ammo to Ukraine via NATO deal - CNN
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (collage by RBC-Ukraine)
The United States, through NATO, is planning to transfer not only Patriot systems to Ukraine but potentially missiles as well, CNN reports.
An unnamed source told the outlet that, in addition to Patriot systems, the United States may also sell to NATO — intended for delivery to Ukraine — the following:
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short-range missiles,
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howitzer shells,
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medium-range air-to-air missiles.
Officials clarified to CNN that Trump is not sending weapons to Ukraine directly for two reasons.
First, by selling weapons to European countries instead of delivering them directly to Ukraine, Trump hopes to shield himself from political criticism related to breaking his campaign promise to reduce the US role in the prolonged war.
Second, the president is aiming for financial gain, as each Patriot system costs approximately $1 billion.
Aid to Ukraine from Trump
On July 14, US President Donald Trump announced that he had reached an agreement with NATO to supply weapons to Ukraine at the expense of European countries.
According to the American leader, the United States will send the best weapons.
The president also warned that if Russia does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine within 50 days, Washington will impose 100% secondary tariffs on Moscow.
