US President Donald Trump allegedly ordered the dispatch of 10 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, Western media report.
Missiles for Patriot in Ukraine: what is known
Trump is pressuring Germany to sell one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter, writes Axios.
President Trump made the decision to send defensive weapons to Ukraine on Monday, July 7.
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In particular, according to the publication, Trump is looking for alternative solutions, in particular, he is putting pressure on Germany to send its Patriot battery.
Earlier, Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation, during which, according to the interlocutors, the head of the United States told the Ukrainian president that he was seeking to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense. However, Trump stressed that the United States should suspend arms deliveries to review its own stockpiles.
At the same time, according to their information, he promised to immediately send 10 Patriot interceptor missiles – fewer than were planned in the suspended delivery – and to help find other means of delivery.
In addition, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Trump on July 7 to ask him to “release” Patriot interceptor missiles that had been stopped en route to Ukraine, the German official said.
He noted that Merz told Trump that Germany intends to purchase Patriot batteries from the United States and send them to Ukraine.
For his part, the sources say, Trump has offered Germany to sell one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine. They said the US and European allies would share the cost of the purchase.
Trump and Merz have not reached an agreement, but discussions are ongoing, officials say. They say Germany has sent Ukraine a much larger share of its Patriot missiles — even more than the U.S.
