US President Donald Trump says Ukraine will need Patriot missiles for its defences, after speaking with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while voicing frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s failure to end the fighting.
Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he had a good call with Mr Zelenskyy on Friday, repeating that he was “very unhappy” about his call with Mr Putin a day earlier, given what he called the Russian leader’s refusal to work on a ceasefire.
Asked whether the United States would agree to supply more Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as requested by Mr Zelenskyy, Mr Trump said: “They’re going to need them for defence … They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard.”
Mr Trump touted the efficacy of the Patriot missiles, calling the weapon “pretty amazing.”
Asked about the prospects for a ceasefire, Mr Trump said: “It’s a very tough situation … I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people — it’s no good.”
Mr Zelenskyy said he had agreed to work on increasing Kyiv’s capability to “defend the sky” as Russian attacks escalated.
He said in a message on Telegram he discussed joint defence production, as well as joint purchases and investments, with Mr Trump.
Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes.
Kyiv had warned that a decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s strikes and battlefield advances.
Ukraine says Russia’s attacks have been intensifying. (Reuters: Alina Smutko)
Germany said it was in talks to buy Patriot air defence systems to bridge the gap.
US halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine
One source briefed on the call said they were optimistic that supplies of Patriot missiles could resume after what they called a “very good” conversation between the presidents.
US outlet Axios, citing unnamed sources, reported the call lasted about 40 minutes, and that Mr Trump told Mr Zelenskyy he would check what US weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold.
Mr Zelenskyy, speaking later in his nightly video address, said he and Mr Trump agreed to “arrange a meeting between our teams to strengthen air defences”.
“We had a very detailed discussion on joint production. We need it, America needs it,” he said.
‘Disappointing’ call with Putin
The conversation came a day after Mr Trump said he had a disappointing call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war hours after Mr Trump’s conversation with Mr Putin on Thursday.
Russia hammers Kyiv in largest missile and drone barrage since war began
Mr Zelenskyy called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical”.
Mr Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, according to Spiegel magazine, citing government sources on Friday.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, including strengthening its air defences, as well as trade issues, Spiegel reported.
Kyiv previously received Patriot batteries and ammunition from the US in the form of aid under former president Joe Biden.
Mr Trump criticised Mr Biden for sending weapons to Ukraine without getting anything in return. Since taking office, he has overseen a dramatic shake-up of relations with Kyiv.
Reuters