Trump: ‘We want missiles too,’ responding to Ukraine’s calls for more Patriots
US President Donald Trump gave an evasive answer to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeals for more Patriot interceptor missiles, saying the US wants missiles too. It remains unclear whether this signals a refusal of further deliveries.
US President Donald Trump, asked by reporters about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's public appeals for more Patriot interceptor missiles, replied: "We want missiles, too." Trump did not clarify whether this comment meant Washington would refuse to send Ukraine any additional Patriot missiles.
In recent weeks, Zelensky has spoken with growing urgency about Ukraine's critical shortage of Patriot interceptors, saying this shortfall is why the country's air defense cannot stop Russian missile strikes. During a large-scale attack on August 1, Ukraine's armed forces managed to shoot down only one of 27 ballistic missiles fired at the country. In an attack on August 5, they shot down none of the 24 missiles launched.
At a White House meeting on July 28, Zelensky asked Trump to provide Ukraine with 300 Patriot missiles before winter. According to US media reports citing sources, Trump turned down the request.
The United States and Ukraine are currently negotiating a license that would allow Kyiv to manufacture its own Patriot interceptor missiles domestically. Even if these negotiations succeed, the missiles are not expected to enter service with Ukraine's armed forces for at least another year.
