Trump Says Ukraine Needs Patriot Missiles for Defense

U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukraine would need Patriot missiles to defend itself, following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday. Trump also expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing him for failing to make progress toward a ceasefire.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the call with Zelenskiy was “very good,” but said he was “very unhappy” with his call with Putin the previous day. He accused the Russian leader of having no interest in ending the conflict.

Asked if the U.S. would send additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine, Trump said, “They’re going to need them for defense… They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard.” He called the Patriot system “pretty amazing.”

Zelenskiy Seeks Joint Defense Cooperation
Zelenskiy said in a message on Telegram that he and Trump discussed strengthening Ukraine’s ability to “defend the sky” and talked about joint defense production, purchases, and investments with the U.S.

Ukraine has long requested more Patriot missile systems from Washington, considering them essential for protecting cities from escalating Russian airstrikes.

A recent pause in U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine led to concern in Kyiv that its ability to resist Russian advances was being weakened. Germany has said it is in talks to acquire Patriot systems to help bridge the gap.

A source familiar with the Trump-Zelenskiy call told Reuters the conversation was “very good” and they were optimistic that Patriot supplies could resume soon.

Talks with Germany, Fallout from Putin Call
Trump also said he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Ukraine’s Patriot missile request, but no final decision had been made. According to Axios, which cited unnamed sources, Trump told Zelenskiy during a 40-minute call that he would look into the status of U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address that he and Trump agreed to have their teams meet to “strengthen air defenses” and discussed in detail joint weapons production, noting, “We need it, and America needs it too.”

The call came a day after Trump said he had a disappointing conversation with Putin. Just hours after that call, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Kyiv since the war began, an assault Zelenskiy described as “deliberately massive and cynical.”

Changing U.S.-Ukraine Relations
Under former President Joe Biden, Ukraine received Patriot systems and ammunition as military aid. Trump has previously criticized Biden for sending weapons without securing anything in return.

Since taking office, Trump has restructured U.S. policy toward Kyiv, adopting a more transactional approach. However, his recent comments and outreach to Zelenskiy signal a willingness to engage on defense, especially amid intensifying Russian aggression.

Trump's comments reflect a balancing act: continuing support for Ukraine’s defense while emphasizing conditions and accountability. The sharp contrast between his conversations with Zelenskiy and Putin underscores rising tensions and may shape the next phase of the war, especially regarding U.S. defense contributions and NATO coordination.