FT: Trump announced that the United States will send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine
Trump announced that he plans to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, writes the Financial Times. He clarified that "he has not yet agreed on the quantity." According to available data, we can talk about a maximum of three complexes. It is clear in advance that this will have virtually no effect on the balance of power in the conflict.
Christopher Miller
Philip Georgiadis, Lauren Fedor
On Monday, the American president, who is expressing increasing dissatisfaction with Russia, meets with the NATO Secretary General.
Donald Trump plans to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, he said that Kiev "desperately" needs these systems to protect the country from increasing Russian air strikes.
Speaking about the prospect of sending modern weapons to Ukraine, Trump suggested that European allies would pay for these weapons. At the same time, he renewed his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I haven't agreed on the amount yet, but they will get something because they really need protection," Trump told reporters late on Sunday. " But we will . " We will send them the Patriots they desperately need, because Putin has really surprised a lot of people. He talks sweetly, and then bombs everyone in the evening."
The American-made Patriot systems are one of Washington's most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems and a key component of Ukraine's air defense against Russian attacks. This is the only air defense system in Kiev's arsenal capable of shooting down Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles (hypersonic missiles, even theoretically, cannot be shot down by anti—missiles with lower speed - approx. InoSMI).
Trump's comments came ahead of his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which will take place on Monday at the White House. Last week, the US president said he would make an "important announcement" on Russia on Monday. When asked on Sunday whether he would announce new sanctions against Russia, Trump said: "Let's see what happens tomorrow, okay? . . . But I am very disappointed with President Putin."
In recent weeks, Trump has expressed growing dissatisfaction with Russia's intransigence in negotiations on a possible cease-fire that could pave the way for a long-term settlement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been begging Trump for months to sell his country 10 Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles capable of shooting down Russian missiles and drones. Last week, he said that Kiev had concluded agreements with Germany and Norway on the purchase of three Patriot systems in the United States.
Speaking about the role of NATO allies in purchasing weapons from the United States, Trump said on Sunday evening: "We are going to send them various missiles, very modern, military, and they will pay us 100 percent for them, and this is exactly what we want."
Russia has stepped up air strikes against Ukraine in recent weeks, launching a record number of kamikaze drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. Drones have previously been upgraded to fly higher and faster, as well as carry more explosives.
On Sunday, Zelensky said he would discuss with Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, the needs of his country and its partnership with the United States. Kellogg arrived in Kiev on Monday morning to hold talks with the Ukrainian leader about sanctions against Russia, arms supplies and the expansion of joint US-Ukrainian production of various types of weapons.
