US President Donald Trump has announced plans to send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, signalling a shift in his administration’s stance as tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin intensify over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday, Trump said, “We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” adding that while the number of batteries had yet to be determined, Ukraine would receive missile defence support.
The comments reflect growing disillusionment in Washington over Russia’s refusal to engage in negotiations to end the conflict. “Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said.
The move follows an earlier decision by the administration to authorize the sale of weapons to NATO allies, who would transfer the arms to Kyiv. Trump is expected to meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte this week to further discuss the matter.
According to a report by Axios, Trump is preparing to make a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, which could include the provision of “offensive weapons” to Ukraine.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has adopted a more restrained approach to direct military aid, citing concerns about fiscal burden and accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of obstructing peace efforts.
However, he reversed course on July 7, approving a new shipment of primarily defensive weaponry to Kyiv.
Despite calls for ceasefires, Russia has rejected a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day truce, arguing it would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup. Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “I am very disappointed with President Putin... He’ll talk so beautifully, and then he’ll bomb people at night.”
In Congress, Senator Lindsey Graham announced a bipartisan sanctions proposal that would empower Trump to levy tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries supporting Russia’s military campaign.
Graham described it as giving the president a “sledgehammer” to end the war, adding that Trump would retain full discretion over how those measures are applied.
Source: Al Jazeera
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