Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine in response to escalating Russian attacks, citing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued aggression despite diplomatic overtures.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump criticized Putin for offering conciliatory rhetoric while intensifying military strikes. “He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said. “It’s a problem, and I don’t like it.”
While Trump did not specify how many Patriot missiles would be sent, he assured the public that the cost would not fall on American taxpayers. “The European Union is going to reimburse us. They’ll pick up the tab,” he stated.
The announcement comes amid a sharp increase in Russian assaults on Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia has launched four major attacks this month alone. On Saturday, 13 civilians were killed during a wave of missile and drone strikes, including hundreds of Iranian-made Shahed drones. Ukraine’s air force reported that a total of 623 drones and 26 missiles were launched in a single day, targeting areas previously considered safe in western Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for increased Western military support, especially advanced air defense systems, to protect against daily missile and drone strikes.
Trump’s remarks reflect growing frustration with stalled efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. “A lot of people are dying, and it should end,” he said during a recent Cabinet meeting. “We get a lot of BS thrown at us by Putin. He’s always very nice, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
The decision to send Patriot missiles marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to the conflict, signaling renewed U.S. commitment to aiding Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing Russian escalation.
