Europe to Fund US Patriot Systems for Ukraine

The US will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine but they will be paid for by European allies, US President Donald Trump announced this week, a move aimed at helping the country defend itself against Russia’s escalating aerial attacks, the Associated Press reported. 

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he was holding talks with the US to acquire the Patriot missile interceptor systems that he says the country needs to fend off air attacks, according to Reuters. 

While the US did not specify how many Patriots it would send, Trump said the European Union was “going to pay us 100 percent for that, and that’s the way we want it.” 

Germany is set to buy two Patriot systems for Ukraine, while Norway will buy one, according to Zelenskyy. The sale of Patriots is seen as a “positive sign” from Washington, according to a German defense ministry spokesperson. 

The US decision to provide Patriot systems marked a sharp reversal from US moves toward the country a few weeks ago, when Ukrainian officials were blindsided by a pause in weapons deliveries despite increasing Russian aerial attacks, the Washington Post added. 

On Monday, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, arrived in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, amid growing anticipation of possible shifts in the administration’s approach to the war that started more than three years ago. 

Ukrainian officials said Kellogg’s visit will cover “defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States.”  

Zelenskyy also said Monday that he asked Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister of the economy, to become prime minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal. 

Although Zelenskyy provided no explanation for the move, he said he hoped Svyrydenko would “significantly update” the government’s operations and propose an action plan “in the near future.” 

Svyrydenko has strong ties to the Trump administration, having led talks on a recently ratified deal that grants US companies access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. 

Meanwhile, Trump has appeared increasingly frustrated with Russia, analysts said. On Sunday, he took a much tougher stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling reporters that he was “disappointed” with him. 

The US president also threatened to enforce 100 percent secondary tariffs on Russia if there’s no deal between Moscow and Kyiv in 50 days, the BBC noted.