 "Trump backs Patriot missiles for Ukraine after 'disappointing' call with Putin")
After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, US President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine will require Patriot missiles for defence, and he expressed anger with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to stop the conflict.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he had an excellent chat with Zelenskyy, emphasising that he was “very unhappy” with his talk with Putin the day before, citing the Russian leader’s inability to cooperate on a ceasefire.
When asked if the US would agree to sell additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as requested by Zelenskyy, Trump replied, “They’re going to need them for defense… They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard.”
Trump touted the efficacy of the Patriot missiles, calling the weapon “pretty amazing.”
Asked about the prospects for a ceasefire, Trump said, “It’s a very tough situation… I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people - it’s no good.”
Zelenskyy said he had agreed to work on increasing Kyiv’s capability to “defend the sky” as Russian attacks escalate, adding in a message on Telegram that he discussed joint defense production, as well as joint purchases and investments with the US leader.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUkraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes.
A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s airstrikes and battlefield advances. Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defense systems to bridge the gap.
A source briefed on the Trump-Zelenskyy call told Reuters they were optimistic that supplies of Patriot missiles could resume after what they called a “very good” conversation between the presidents.
Russia pummels Kyiv
Trump said he also spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Ukraine’s request for Patriot missiles but that no decision had been made to supply the advanced missiles.
US news outlet Axios reported, citing unnamed sources, that the call lasted around 40 minutes and that Trump told Zelenskyy he would check what US weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold.
Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address, said he and Trump had agreed to “arrange a meeting between our teams to strengthen air defenses.
“We had a very detailed discussion on joint production. We need it, America needs it.”
The conversation came a day after Trump said he had a disappointing call with Putin.
Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war across the capital hours after Trump’s conversation with Putin on Thursday.
Zelenskyy called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”
Kyiv in the past received Patriot batteries and ammunition from the US in the form of aid under then-President Joe Biden.
Trump criticized him for sending weapons to Ukraine without getting anything in return, and since taking office has overseen a dramatic shake-up of relations with Kyiv.
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