US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that Washington would send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, signaling a renewed American commitment to Kyiv’s defense amid Russia’s prolonged aggression. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump confirmed the move, stating, “We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” though he did not specify the quantity.
The announcement precedes what Trump termed a “major statement on Russia” expected Monday, coinciding with the arrival of the US special envoy in Ukraine and a scheduled meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
Trump indicated a policy shift from earlier this month, when the White House had paused certain arms deliveries to Kyiv. He now emphasized that the new defense package would be structured as a full-cost reimbursement model. “They’re going to pay us 100 percent. It’ll be business for us,” he remarked.
The Biden-era freeze on some military assistance has drawn bipartisan criticism, and Trump’s move appears to address growing domestic and international pressure to reinforce Ukraine’s defenses, especially amid intensified Russian attacks this summer.
Trump also expressed fresh discontent with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said, hinting that new sanctions may be imminent.
On Capitol Hill, bipartisan lawmakers unveiled a sanctions bill that would empower Trump to impose punitive economic measures against countries aiding Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham described it as a “sledgehammer” that could enable Trump to apply 500 percent tariffs on nations supporting Putin’s war machine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the proposal and stressed the urgency of such measures to ensure peace and bolster Ukraine’s defense.
Further announcements are expected Monday following Trump’s meetings with NATO and congressional leaders.
OpinionExpress.In
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