President Donald Trump stated that the United States needs to replenish its own stockpiles of weapons after being asked about Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeal for the delivery of long-range missiles and Patriot systems.
„And we need missiles. Biden gave (Zelensky) $300 billion worth of weapons,” said Trump in a statement made at the White House and quoted by Kiev Independent.
The American leader claimed that the military aid provided by the previous administration significantly depleted the ammunition reserves of the USA and that Washington is currently working on replenishing the arsenal.
When asked about the intensification of Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, Trump insisted that the United States is not a party to the conflict.
"Look, we are not involved. We are separated by an ocean," declared the American president.
However, he stated that he is concerned about the number of casualties in the war.
"I hate to see 25,000 young people killed every month," said Trump, claiming that Russia and Ukraine lose, on average, about 25,000 people monthly, "mostly soldiers."
Zelensky requests license for Patriot missile production
Trump's statements come as Ukraine seeks to strengthen its anti-aircraft defense amid escalating Russian attacks with ballistic missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested the American administration to grant a license allowing the production of missiles for Patriot systems in Ukraine. However, the White House has conveyed that no final decision has been made on this matter yet.
CNN: Trump displeased that information on reduced ammunition stocks became public
On the other hand, CNN reveals that Donald Trump has privately complained in recent days that the emerging information about the decrease in US ammunition stocks projects an image of a weakened America at a sensitive time.
According to American officials, the subject was discussed at the Cabinet meeting held last week at Camp David. Sources claim that Trump had been aware of the stock situation for some time but was displeased that the information became public at a time when he wants to convey a message of strength on the international stage.
"The United States has massive amounts of ammunition, especially in certain categories. Additionally, large quantities are produced and delivered in the US whenever needed. Defense industry companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country's history," Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.
However, Trump seemed to acknowledge that some of the information about ammunition stocks is true. He stated that his administration will seek "long prison sentences" for those who made this information public. Later, in the Oval Office, he admitted that certain types of ammunition are available in "more limited quantities," but added that there is a "practically unlimited supply" of less sophisticated weapons.
His dissatisfaction has escalated in recent weeks following the publication of several articles reporting that the US military is facing low levels of ammunition stocks.
CNN reported this week that the US military has consumed nearly 80% of the THAAD missile stock compared to the level before the war with Iran and about half of the Patriot interceptors since the beginning of the conflict.
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