For the first time since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has announced he wants to send weapons to Ukraine. The United States will supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO in the future. The alliance pays for the weapons in full, the Republican told NBC News. "We are sending weapons to NATO, and NATO will reimburse the full cost of these weapons." Special presidential authority will be used to do so, according to two people familiar with the decision.
This allows the president to tap into US military stockpiles. The package could be worth around $300 million and include Patriot missile defenses, as well as medium-range missiles. Trump also stated that he was "disappointed" in Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Cryptically, he added, "I think I'm going to make a big announcement on Russia on Monday." Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky consulted with two US senators about improving air defenses and tightening sanctions against Russia.
The meeting in Rome with Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal focused primarily on repelling a feared Russian attack with 1,000 drones, Zelensky announced on Telegram. Strengthening air defense is a priority. Investments in interceptor drones are particularly important. In addition, the continuation of deliveries from the US and joint weapons production were discussed. Germany wants to buy Patriot systems.
The German government also wants to purchase Patriot air defense systems from the US to make them available to Ukraine in the defensive fight against Russia. "I discussed this with President Trump last Thursday and also asked him to deliver these systems," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday at the conference on Ukraine in Rome. Defense ministers are currently negotiating; there is no final decision yet.
"The Americans need them to a certain extent, but they also have a lot of them," Merz said of the Patriots, which are also used by the German Bundeswehr. He did not say how many systems Germany wants to buy. However, Zelensky said at a press conference in Rome that evening that Germany was willing to pay for two systems. According to Zelensky, Norway has also committed to purchasing another Patriot system.
