NaijNaira
Donald Trump signaled he might approve sending more U.S. Patriot missile systems to Ukraine after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in The Hague, NaijNaira can report,
Trump spoke to reporters after the 50-minute meeting, which followed weeks of intensified Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. As Reuters reported, both leaders called the conversation productive.
“They’re very hard to get, but we’re going to see if we can make some of them available,” Trump said during a press briefing.
Zelenskyy had pushed hard for air-defense help and offered to buy the equipment outright if the U.S. wouldn’t donate it.
“Ukraine is ready to buy this equipment and support American weapons manufacturers,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “We also discussed the potential for co-production of drones. We can strengthen each other.”
Patriot systems have been key in intercepting deadly Russian strikes that recently killed dozens in Kyiv and Dnipro.
Trump, who had previously cut off arms deliveries initiated by Joe Biden, said more financial support might still be on the table. “As far as money going, we’ll see what happens,” he added.
He also made it clear he planned to contact Putin again soon, saying bluntly, “Look, Vladimir Putin really has to end that war.”
Zelenskyy, dressed in formal attire, appeared eager to rebuild ties after their rocky February White House meeting.
Though he was sidelined from Wednesday’s core NATO gathering, he managed to attend the pre-summit dinner, which emphasized increased defense spending.
Notably, this year’s NATO statement avoided promising Ukraine future membership or directly blaming Russia for the invasion.
