The announcement by US President Donald Trump that his government will be sending Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine represents a dramatic change in the administration’s position on military assistance to Kyiv.
Trump stated that Ukraine “desperately” needed the Patriots when addressing reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday. He also said, “We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need.” They do require protection; therefore, they will have some.
The announcement coincides with growing indications from Trump’s administration that it is unhappy with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resistance to ceasefire talks. “Many individuals were taken aback by Putin. In the evening, he bombs everyone after having a wonderful conversation. Therefore, there is a slight issue there. “I dislike it,” Trump remarked.
Although the US president did not specify how many Patriot batteries will be shipped, his comments are a change from his previous hesitation to authorise further weaponry transfers to Ukraine. Trump has reduced direct support for Kyiv after returning to the White House in January, calling military assistance a “drain” on US taxpayers and blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of impeding peace efforts.
The Trump administration’s support for pre-approved military packages sanctioned under former President Joe Biden has been reduced in recent months. On July 7, however, it was decided to start sending weaponry again, concentrating on what Trump referred to as “defensive weapons.”
The move occurs before of Trump’s planned meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington later this week, when the war in Ukraine and NATO’s defence posture are anticipated to be the main topics of discussion. Trump is scheduled to deliver his much-awaited “major statement” on Russia on Monday, coinciding with Rutte’s arrival.
According to two unidentified sources cited by US news outlet Axios on Sunday, Trump may reveal plans to provide Ukraine with “offensive weapons” as part of his imminent statement.
Trump promised to put an immediate end to the fighting in Ukraine during his campaign, but his latest remarks show that he is becoming increasingly irritated with Moscow. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” he said last week, accusing Putin of making false promises.
Moscow has consented to a number of brief ceasefires, but the Kremlin has rejected US requests for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Washington and Kyiv disagree with Russia’s assertion that such a delay would give Ukraine time to reorganise and re-arm.
Trump reaffirmed his disappointment with the Russian president on Sunday, but he declined to answer when asked if he would include further measures on Moscow in his announcement on Monday. “President Putin has left me feeling really let down. He said, “I believed he was someone who meant what he said.”
A bipartisan sanctions package that would give the president broad authority to punish nations supporting Russia’s military endeavours was presented earlier in the day by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
Graham told CBS News, “President Trump would be able to impose 500 percent tariffs on any country that helps Russia and props up Putin’s war machine with this congressional package.” He is capable of turning it up or down. He is as flexible as possible.
