Trump will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine and assures that Europe will pay for them: "It will be a deal for us."

Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced this Sunday the shipment of Patriot interceptor missile systems to Ukraine to strengthen its defense against Russian attacks, although he made it clear that it will not be at the expense of the U.S. treasury.

According to his statement, the European Union will cover “100%” of the bill, which he described as “a deal for us,” according to the agency EFE.

"I haven’t settled on the number yet, but they are going to have some because they need protection. The European Union is paying for it. We aren't paying for anything, but we will send them. It will be a business for us, and we will send them Patriots," Trump said after attending the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.

In its official account on X, the White House reiterated the president's stance on the cost of the Patriot systems: “The European Union pays for it. We don’t pay anything. We’ll send it. It will be a business for us.”

This new approach from Trump—which asserts that allies should "pay their share" for shared security—continues his critical stance towards the unequal funding within NATO, a theme that has defined his foreign policy since his first term.

In that regard, it was reported that the U.S. has provided $350 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, compared to the $100 billion contributed by Europe.

Patriot systems are considered one of the most advanced technologies in the U.S. arsenal for intercepting enemy missiles and aircraft, and their deployment represents a clear signal of Washington's renewed military commitment to the Ukrainian conflict, under conditions that favor direct economic interests.

Criticism of Putin in meeting with the NATO chief

Trump held a key meeting on Monday at the White House with the new NATO Secretary General, the Dutch Mark Rutte, to finalize the details of the agreement.

During the dialogue, Trump uttered strong words against the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, whom he accused of acting with cynicism in the discussions regarding a ceasefire.

"Putin really surprised a lot of people. He speaks nicely and then bombs everyone in the afternoon. So there's a little problem there, and I don't like it," declared the president, who is expected to make an announcement about Russia this Monday, without providing details.

"We are very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we will impose very severe tariffs if we do not reach an agreement in 50 days," he said.

The U.S. president also justified the resumption of sending defensive arms to Ukraine, a decision announced this week after a pause attributed to internal reviews by the Pentagon.

He added that he will pressure defense contractors to accelerate the production of military equipment in order to ensure Ukraine's response capability.

Diplomatic standstill

Trump's statements come just a few days after a phone conversation with Putin that lasted nearly an hour and yielded no progress toward a ceasefire. Moscow reiterated its determination to maintain the military objectives established since the beginning of the invasion, while Washington expressed its disappointment over the lack of results.

This is not the first time Trump has openly criticized the Russian president. At the end of May, he referred to him as “completely insane” following the massive attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas, and warned that the Kremlin's actions could lead to its own collapse if the offensive continued to escalate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trump’s Shipment of Patriot Missiles to Ukraine