US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine through NATO in a renewed show of support for Kyiv, following a devastating wave of Russian drone and missile attacks.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Trump confirmed the weapons transfer will occur under a new arrangement where “we’re going to be sending Patriots to NATO, and then NATO will distribute that.” He added that NATO would reimburse the full cost of the weapons, easing concerns over direct US military aid.
The announcement follows a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said earlier this week that he had asked for 10 Patriot systems to help counter the intensifying aerial onslaught from Russia. “We have had a positive dialogue,” Zelensky said, revealing that Germany and Norway had pledged funding for three of the systems, while other European nations were preparing to assist.
Patriot missile batteries are among the world’s most advanced air defence systems, capable of detecting and intercepting incoming missiles with high precision. Their role has become increasingly critical as Ukraine faces a record number of drone strikes. On Tuesday night alone, Ukraine was hit by 728 drones, the highest single-day total since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Trump’s renewed commitment came after mounting pressure from Kyiv and criticism following a pause in US shipments of critical defence hardware last week, including Patriot interceptors and precision artillery. The hold-up had raised alarms in Ukraine over the potential depletion of its air defence capabilities.
“We have to [send more weapons]… They’re getting hit very hard now,” Trump said during the NBC interview, signaling a shift from his earlier reluctance to provide continued aid to Ukraine. He also hinted at a “major statement” regarding Russia to be made on Monday but offered no further details.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the urgency of the moment, saying Washington was urging NATO allies, including Germany and Spain, to expedite the handover of their existing Patriot batteries. “They have them in their stocks… and we can enter into financial agreements for replacements,” Rubio said on Friday.
Meanwhile, a Patriot battery previously based in Israel is expected to be refurbished and transferred to Ukraine, according to US officials quoted by The New York Times. While negotiations over that battery had been ongoing, its deployment marks a strategic boost to Ukraine’s layered defence system, which already includes Soviet-era S-300s and Western-supplied NASAMS.
Despite its effectiveness, the Patriot system’s high cost—estimated at $1 billion per unit—has made some NATO allies hesitant to part with their limited inventories. However, the escalating toll on civilians and infrastructure appears to be shifting that calculus. According to the UN, June 2025 saw the highest monthly civilian casualties in three years, with at least 232 killed and over 1,300 injured.
Ukraine’s existing air defence network, while effective, remains stretched. The exact number of Patriots already deployed is classified, but each new system significantly increases the area Ukraine can protect, including key urban centers, power plants, and military installations.
Russia continues to deny targeting civilians and accuses Western nations of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025, has been pushing NATO allies to increase their defence spending and take greater responsibility in the alliance.
While the US provided $69 billion in military aid to Ukraine between 2022 and 2024—more than any other country—Trump has taken a harder stance on long-term American involvement, advocating a path to peace. Last week, he held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and later expressed dissatisfaction with Moscow’s lack of movement toward ending the war.
Rubio, who recently met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia, described their conversation as “frank,” noting that both sides shared “new ideas” about ending the conflict. However, he declined to elaborate, deferring to Trump’s upcoming Russia announcement.
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