Trump confirms new U.S. weapons aid for Ukraine, including Patriots

The U.S. will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine and President Donald Trump said he expects full payment from the European Union, citing rising frustration with Russia ahead of his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington on Monday 14 July.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed late Sunday that Ukraine will receive advanced military aid from the United States, including Patriot missile systems, amid escalating Russian attacks.

Speaking to reporters before his meeting with Rutte, Trump said, “We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military,” referring to Ukraine.

He added that “they are going to pay us 100%.”

Trump declined to provide specifics on the number of weapons to be delivered but emphasised Ukraine’s need for Patriots. It's after he's becoming frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the lack of progress.

"I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some because they do need protection. But the European Union is paying for it. We're not paying anything for it, but we will send it, it'll be business for us, and we will send them Patriots, which they desperately need, because Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. So there's a little bit of a problem there. I don't like it," explained Trump.

The move to provide Ukraine with the surface-to-air missiles (SAM) system comes after the Pentagon had paused some arms shipments. 

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