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The United States has resumed military aid shipments to Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, following a temporary suspension of certain critical arms deliveries last week.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday to NBC News that an agreement has been reached with NATO for the U.S. to supply Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems through the alliance, responding to a recent escalation in Russian aerial attacks.
Zelensky had previously voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of the brief halt on Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, with reported disruptions including supplies of Patriot systems and precision artillery shells.
Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, resulting in a surge in civilian casualties.
In response to these attacks, Zelensky has requested the provision of 10 Patriot systems. These systems, known for their capability to detect and intercept incoming missiles, are considered among the world’s most effective air defense technologies.
Under the newly announced agreement, NATO will procure Patriot systems from the U.S. and subsequently distribute them to Ukraine.
Trump indicated that the alliance would “reimburse the full cost.” NATO is funded through contributions from its member states, including the United States.
Speaking in Rome on Thursday, Zelensky noted that Germany had committed to funding two Patriot systems and Norway one, with other European partners also expressing willingness to contribute.
He highlighted “new European defense packages” in his Friday evening address, further stating that Ukraine’s military would collaborate with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in the coming week.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed reporters on Friday that he had urged allies, including Germany and Spain, to transfer some of their existing Patriot batteries, citing the potential for faster deployment to Ukraine.
“We have continued to encourage our NATO allies to provide those weapons… since they have them in their stocks, then we can enter into financial agreements… where they can purchase the replacements,” he stated.
The renewed push to supply air defenses to Ukraine follows a series of deadly aerial attacks, which have reportedly increased frustrations within the U.S. administration as it pursues a negotiated resolution.
Ukraine faced a record 728 drone attacks overnight on Tuesday, prompting President Zelensky to warn of Russia’s intention to escalate the attacks to 1,000.
The month of June witnessed the highest monthly civilian casualty figures in Ukraine in three years, with 232 fatalities and over 1,300 injuries, according to UN data.
Trump stated on Tuesday that the U.S. would provide additional weaponry to Kyiv as “they’re getting hit very hard now.”
Following a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Trump expressed his “not happy” sentiment regarding the lack of progress towards ending the war. He has since lamented that Putin’s initially “very nice” demeanor proved to be ultimately meaningless.
During his NBC News interview, Trump announced his intention to make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday, but did not specify the subject matter.
Citing unnamed U.S. officials, The New York Times reports that a Patriot battery formerly stationed in Israel will be dispatched to Ukraine after undergoing refurbishment in the U.S.
Negotiations concerning the Israeli battery have been ongoing for some time. Last month, a senior official in Kyiv indicated that the battery had already been sent to the U.S., but that Ukraine was awaiting its receipt.
Patriot air defense batteries, along with their interceptor missiles, are crucial in defending Ukrainian cities and both civilian and military infrastructure against Russian cruise and ballistic missile attacks.
Alongside Soviet-era S-300 surface-to-air missiles and Western-made NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), the Patriots assist Ukraine in maintaining what military officials often describe as a “layered defense.”
With its advanced radar, tracking capabilities, and high interception rate, the Patriot system is a highly effective weapon, essential for Ukraine’s defense against Moscow’s ongoing bombardments.
However, the system is also notably expensive, with a single battery, including missiles, valued at approximately $1 billion (£740 million). This factor partially explains the reluctance of Western countries operating Patriot systems to relinquish them.
Ukrainian troops have already been trained in the operation of these systems.
The initial two Western-supplied batteries were delivered in April 2023, following months of appeals from Kyiv. The exact number of systems currently deployed remains a closely guarded secret.
Each additional battery allows Ukraine to extend the system’s protective umbrella over more cities and vital installations, including military bases and power stations.
Ukraine, a vast country, cannot protect everything or everyone. However, with the increasing frequency and intensity of Russian aerial attacks, Kyiv’s Western allies appear to acknowledge the urgent need for enhanced defense capabilities.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has advocated for a reduction in U.S. support for Ukraine.
The U.S. was the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine between the beginning of 2022 and the end of 2024, contributing $69 billion (£54.6 billion) during that period, according to the Kiel Institute, a German think tank.
Trump has also urged NATO allies to commit a greater percentage of their GDP to the security alliance. Last year, all European NATO members pledged to allocate 2% of their GDP to defense spending.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
Rubio told reporters that he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov engaged in a “frank” discussion on the sidelines of a meeting in Malaysia on Thursday.
Rubio echoed Trump’s “frustration at the lack of progress at peace talks,” including “disappointment that there has not been more flexibility on the Russian side to bring about an end to this conflict.”
He added that the two had exchanged some new ideas regarding potential pathways to resolving the conflict, which he would relay to Trump.
Rubio declined to elaborate on Trump’s planned “major” announcement concerning Russia on Monday.
The visit comes as countries around the world navigate the US president’s “America First” policies.
A mix of high temperatures, gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation has fuelled the fire’s swift advance in Arizona, officials say.
At least 120 were killed when flash flooding devastated areas in central Texas last week.
The US president and first lady surveyed the damage from the deadly floods where 120 people were killed and 161 are still missing.
The deal would have allowed Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to avoid the death penalty in exchange for life without parole.
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