Axios reported on 8/7, citing two sources, that Trump assured Zelensky during a recent phone call of his desire to help Ukraine maintain its air defense capabilities.
The former president promised to "immediately send 10 Patriot interceptor missiles" to Ukraine and assist in securing additional military aid. Axios, a Virginia-based news website founded in 2016 by former Politico journalists, broke the story.
Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell, when asked for comment, told Russia's TASS news agency, "At President Trump's direction, the Department of Defense is sending additional defensive weaponry to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves as we work toward a lasting peace.".
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A Patriot air defense system during an exercise at Warsaw Babice Airport, Poland on 7/2/2023. Photo: AFP |
A Patriot air defense system during an exercise at Warsaw Babice Airport, Poland on 7/2/2023. Photo: AFP
However, Axios reported that Trump remains hesitant about transferring too many Patriot missiles and depleting US air defense stocks. He wants European allies to contribute more, both financially and militarily, to Ukraine.
A German official revealed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Trump last week, urging him to resume the transfer of a batch of Patriot missiles currently held up in Germany, originally intended for Ukraine.
"Merz also told Trump that Germany is willing to purchase Patriot systems from the US and send them to Ukraine," the official stated.
Instead of accepting the offer, Trump suggested that Germany sell one of its own Patriot systems to Ukraine, with the US coordinating with European allies to finance the transfer. No agreement has been reached, and negotiations are ongoing.
Amid global instability and dwindling US weapon stockpiles, NATO members are increasingly concerned that excessive support for Ukraine will leave them unable to replenish their own munitions.
"Buying Patriot missiles isn't like going to Walmart and picking 10 off the shelf," a Trump advisor commented.
Last week, US media reported that Washington would temporarily halt the supply of certain weapons, including Patriot interceptor missiles, precision-guided artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, Stinger missiles, and other munitions.
NBC, citing sources, reported that the suspension of military aid to Ukraine was a unilateral decision by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This would be his third such decision, though the previous two, in March and May, were quickly reversed within days.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on 7/7, Trump affirmed that the US would "send more weapons" to Kyiv and emphasized Ukraine's need for self-defense.
As of March, the US has provided a total of 66.9 billion USD in military aid to Ukraine since the conflict with Moscow began in early 2022. The last major aid package, announced by the previous administration on 30/12/2024, was valued at 1.22 billion USD and included ammunition for air defense systems, Stinger missiles, and other weapons.
Thanh Danh (TASS, Axios, NBC)
