US President pledges Patriot Missile systems to Ukraine on EU’s expense

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will send Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine in an effort to bolster the country’s defenses against ongoing Russian missile and drone strikes. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the move comes in response to escalating Russian aggression and increasing pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for more advanced defensive capabilities.

“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump said. “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.”

While the president did not specify the number of Patriot systems to be provided, he emphasized that the cost of the military aid would be fully reimbursed by the European Union. “They are going to pay us 100% for that, and that’s the way we want it,” Trump stated.

The Patriot system, a high-performance surface-to-air missile defense system developed by Raytheon, is capable of intercepting and neutralizing short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. Ukraine has long requested additional systems to counter daily Russian attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.

Trump’s remarks mark a significant shift from his previous hesitancy to deepen U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. According to a report by Axios on Sunday, the president is also preparing to unveil a new plan to supply Ukraine with offensive weaponry, signaling a major departure from his earlier stance of pushing for a ceasefire and de-escalation.

Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly soured in recent months. The U.S. president has grown frustrated with what he sees as Putin’s unwillingness to engage meaningfully in ceasefire talks, despite diplomatic overtures from Washington.

The White House has not yet commented on the development, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the Axios report. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy continues to call on Western allies for enhanced support as Ukraine faces intensifying attacks.

Trump is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte later this week, where Ukraine and broader European security issues are expected to be key items on the agenda.