Just when it seemed like U.S. military involvement in Ukraine was being scaled back, President Donald Trump made a bold announcement that could shift the entire course of the ongoing war: he’s sending Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine.
The surprise decision, revealed on Sunday, comes as Russia continues its relentless air assault on Ukrainian cities and towns.
Ukraine Calls, Trump Answers—With a Catch
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Western allies for more help as his country faces constant missile and drone attacks from Russian forces.
Responding to that plea, Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington D.C., that help is on the way.
“We’re going to send them Patriots, which they really need,” Trump said.
“Putin talks like he’s your friend and then bombs everybody at night.”
But in true Trump fashion, he added a twist: Ukraine will have to pay in full.
“They’re paying us 100 percent for it,” he said. “That’s the way we want it.”
A Sharp Turn from “America First”
The announcement caught many off guard—especially given Trump’s “America First” campaign rhetoric and his previous hesitation to commit military resources abroad.
But after failed attempts to broker a ceasefire and growing frustration with Vladimir Putin, Trump has clearly adopted a firmer stance.
Just days earlier, audio from a 2024 fundraiser surfaced in which Trump claimed he had warned Putin directly: “If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the **** out of Moscow.”
Trump claims Putin didn’t believe him. “He said, ‘No way,’ and I said, ‘Way.’”
Backroom Tension at the Pentagon
The public announcement reportedly blindsided Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had been pushing to pause military aid.
Cameras captured him looking visibly irritated, repeatedly nodding during Trump’s remarks in what appeared to be disagreement.
Even CIA Director John Ratcliffe, seated next to Hegseth, was caught making subtle gestures during the moment—suggesting some internal friction over the president’s sudden pivot.
Ukraine Already Has Some Patriots, But More Are Coming
This new shipment will mark the first major weapons system Trump has approved for Ukraine beyond those authorized by his predecessors.
Ukraine already possesses a limited number of Patriot missile systems, supplied by the U.S. and other NATO allies.
These advanced systems include launchers, radars, interceptors, and command units, which have helped Ukraine neutralize dozens of incoming Russian missiles and drones.
Still, airstrikes continue to wreak havoc, with Russian missiles recently hitting residential areas and even targeting regions dangerously close to NATO borders.
Civilian Casualties Mount Near NATO Territory
Over the weekend, Russian forces launched nearly 600 drones and 26 long-range missiles, hitting areas near the Ukrainian cities of Lviv and Chernivtsi, close to the borders with Poland and Romania.
The strikes left at least eight civilians dead and dozens more injured, raising concerns that the war could soon spill beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Zelensky Wants More Than Just Words
Reacting to the deadly weekend, Zelensky called on Western leaders to back up their support with real action, not just promises.
He urged allies to send more advanced weapons and to tighten sanctions on Russia to reduce the scale and frequency of these brutal airstrikes.
Trump Says EU Will Foot the Bill
While it’s still unclear how many Patriot systems the U.S. will send, Trump said the cost would be fully reimbursed by the European Union.
That detail has yet to be confirmed by EU leaders.
He’s also scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday, where Ukraine—and broader security concerns—are expected to dominate the agenda.