The American President Donald Trump is said to have ordered the dispatch of 10 Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine and is pressuring Germany to sell one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
Trump made the decision on Monday after several days of consultations with advisors and other world leaders regarding the exact origin of these weapons, amid the deadlock in negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on a ceasefire in Ukraine. Additionally, the US President is exploring alternative solutions, including pressuring Germany to send a Patriot battery, as reported by Axios.
Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky recently had a phone conversation. According to sources cited by the American publication, the White House leader told Zelensky on this occasion that he wants to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense but emphasized that the US had to suspend arms deliveries to review their own stockpiles.
Meanwhile, the sources stated that he promised to immediately send 10 Patriot air defense missiles - fewer than planned in the suspended delivery - and to assist in finding other means of supply.
According to a German official, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Trump on Sunday to ask him to "unblock" the Patriot interceptor missiles that had been suspended on their way to Ukraine. Merz assured Trump that Germany is ready to purchase Patriot batteries from the United States and send them to Ukraine.
In turn, Trump proposed to Germany to sell one of its own Patriot batteries to Ukraine. The sources mentioned reported that the United States and European allies will share the acquisition costs.
Trump and Merz did not reach an agreement, but according to officials, discussions are ongoing. German officials stated that Germany has provided Ukraine with a very large portion of Patriot missiles - even more than the United States.
The Guardian wrote that the United States is left with only about 25% of the Patriot interceptor missiles needed for all Pentagon military plans after stocks in the Middle East were depleted in recent months, leading them to decide to suspend the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, some media institutions previously reported that American Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth unilaterally ordered the suspension of certain types of arms deliveries to Ukraine, despite a military analysis indicating that these deliveries would not pose a threat to US combat readiness.
The Pentagon announced on Monday that the United States is sending additional defense weapons to Ukraine at Trump's order.