Trump Confirms Patriot Air Defence Systems For Ukraine, Hints At Russia Sanctions
The move comes as US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein begins a new visit to Ukraine and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet with Trump in Washington.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the United States would send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine and signalled that new sanctions on Russia could be forthcoming. The comments come amid a continued escalation of hostilities in Ukraine and ahead of key diplomatic engagements scheduled for Monday.
'We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need," Trump said, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews as he returned from the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey. While he did not specify the number of missile systems, he confirmed, 'I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some because they do need protection."
According to AFP, the announcement marks a reversal from an earlier White House stance this month, which had suggested a pause in weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Trump emphasized that under the new arrangement, the European Union would bear the cost. 'We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military and they're going to pay us 100 percent for them," he said, adding, 'It'll be business for us."
. @POTUS: 'I am very disappointed with President Putin. I thought he was somebody that meant what he said — and he'll talk so beautifully, then he'll bomb people at night. We don't like that." pic.twitter.com/9HaGgLiKEJ — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 14, 2025
The move comes as US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein begins a new visit to Ukraine and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet with Trump in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier said the country was close to securing a multi-level agreement on new Patriot systems and their associated missiles.
As per AFP, Trump once again expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening," he said, calling out Moscow's intensifying summer offensive and failure to agree to a ceasefire.
When asked whether new sanctions on Russia would be announced, Trump told reporters, 'We're going to see what we will see tomorrow, OK?" reiterating that a major statement on Russia would be made Monday.
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