War comes at cost: US envoy to NATO delivers message to Putin on arming Ukraine
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian president (Getty Images)
The US will continue supplying weapons systems to Ukraine amid ongoing Russian attacks on the country, according to US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker’s interview with Fox News.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated in an interview with Fox News that "President Trump made it very clear and clear to Vladimir Putin, which is: 'We’re giving you a chance for peace, but if you want war, we will arm Ukraine.'"
He added that the decision to send Patriot systems to Ukraine will benefit not only Kyiv but also the American economy.
"President Trump is the master dealmaker, and I think he saw an opportunity here to not only bring jobs to middle America through making these weapons systems and at the same time, to help Ukraine," Whitaker noted.
He emphasized that arms production offers a real opportunity to support the US economy.
Patriot air defense system deliveries
The US has allowed NATO member states that operate Patriot systems to transfer them to Ukraine from their stockpiles, with the promise of receiving replacements from the US. A total of 17 Patriot systems are involved in the plan.
President Donald Trump announced that he reached an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on a new framework for weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the decision to provide air defense systems, saying that every effort must be made to force Russia to end the war.
Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany plans to support Ukraine with two Patriot systems, though delivery may be delayed.
