Excerpt: Trump confirms US will send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, criticising Putin, and insisting America will be fully reimbursed.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will send a new round of advanced military equipment to Ukraine, including the much-requested Patriot missile defence systems, in response to the escalating Russian aerial attacks.
Speaking during a televised address on Sunday night, President Trump described the equipment as “very sophisticated” and said it was crucial to Ukraine’s defence capabilities. “We’re sending various pieces of equipment — very sophisticated stuff,” Trump said. “It will include the Patriot missile systems, which they [Ukraine] desperately need.”
This announcement comes amid intensifying Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed last week that US military support had resumed after months of delays, describing it as a vital step in strengthening Ukraine’s defence.
Trump also took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin during his remarks. “He really surprised a lot of people — he talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said, suggesting a growing frustration with Russia’s aggressive military tactics.
Notably, Trump emphasised that the United States would not bear the cost of this military assistance indefinitely. “We will be reimbursed 100% for the supplies,” he said. “That’s the way it should have been a long time ago.”
The Patriot missile system, capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, has been a top priority for Kyiv, especially as Russia intensifies its use of drone and missile strikes across eastern and southern Ukraine.