Trump says Ukraine will need Patriot missiles for its defence, chides Putin
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US President Donald Trump (right) told reporters that he had a good call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
PHOTO: EPA
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WASHINGTON/KYIV – US President Donald Trump said Ukraine would need Patriot missiles for its defence, after speaking to President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 4, and voiced frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s failure to end the fighting.
Mr Trump told reporters on board Air Force One that he had a good call with Mr Zelensky, repeating that he was “very unhappy” about his call with Mr Putin a day earlier, given what he called the Russian leader’s refusal to work on a ceasefire.
When asked whether the US would agree to supply more Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as requested by Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump said: “They’re going to need them for defence... They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard.”
He touted the efficacy of the Patriot missiles, calling the weapon “pretty amazing”.
When asked about the prospects of a ceasefire, he said: “It’s a very tough situation... I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people – it’s no good.”
Mr Zelensky said he had agreed to work on increasing Kyiv’s capability to “defend the sky” as Russian attacks escalate, adding in a message on Telegram that he discussed joint defence production, as well as joint purchases and investments with the US leader.
Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes.
A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine
Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defence systems to bridge the gap.
A source briefed on the call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky told Reuters that they were optimistic supplies of Patriot missiles could resume after what was called a “very good” conversation between the leaders.
Russia pummels Kyiv
Mr Trump said he also spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Ukraine’s request for Patriot missiles, but that no decision had been made to supply the advanced missiles.
US news outlet Axios reported, citing unnamed sources, that the call lasted around 40 minutes and that Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky he would check what US weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold.
Mr Zelensky, in his nightly video address, said he and Mr Trump had agreed to “arrange a meeting between our teams to strengthen air defences”.
“We had a very detailed discussion on joint production. We need it, America needs it.”
The conversation came a day after Mr Trump said he had a disappointing call with Mr Putin
Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war across the capital hours after Mr Trump’s conversation with Mr Putin on July 3.
Mr Zelensky called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical”.
Kyiv in the past received Patriot batteries and ammunition from the US in the form of aid under then President Joe Biden.
Mr Trump criticised him for sending weapons to Ukraine without getting anything in return, and since taking office has overseen a dramatic shake-up of relations with Kyiv. REUTERS
