Trump Announces U.S. To Provide Ukraine with Patriot Defense Systems

• White House resumes its arms shipments to Ukraine.
• Trump teases new sanctions against Russia on Monday.
• Trump criticizes Putin’s deceit regarding the Ukraine conflict.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would provide Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine and suggested new sanctions against Russia, expressing his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin in light of Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This essential weaponry for Ukraine was announced as Trump hinted at a significant statement regarding Russia planned for Monday.

The announcement may coincide with a flurry of diplomatic activity scheduled for Monday, including the U.S. special envoy’s latest visit to Ukraine, alongside Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.

The attack on Ukraine has persisted for over three years, with hostilities escalating this summer, yet U.S.-led peace talks have failed to produce any tangible outcomes.

“We’re going to send them Patriots, which they truly require,” Trump stated on Sunday, but did not clarify how many systems would be sent to Ukraine.

“I haven’t decided on the quantity yet, but they will receive some because they do need protection,” he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after attending the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.

The White House recently reversed an earlier decision to halt certain arms shipments to Ukraine, instead announcing a new agreement where NATO would reimburse the United States for some weapons sent to Kyiv.

“Essentially, we’re sending them various sophisticated military systems, and they’ll be paying us 100%,” Trump explained.

Rutte’s meeting at 10:00 AM (1400 GMT) in the Oval Office will be off-the-record, and he is also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine is “on the verge of a multi-level agreement regarding new Patriot systems and missiles.”

Trump also reiterated his “disappointment” with Putin, expressing increasing frustration with the Russian leader’s actions.

“Putin has caught many off guard. He makes nice comments, then bombs everyone at night,” the discontented Trump remarked on Sunday.

Last week, Trump accused Putin of delivering “nonsense” to Washington regarding Ukraine, revealing his frustration over the stalemate.

Upon returning to the White House in January, Trump had asserted he could collaborate with Putin to end the conflict, holding off on escalating sanctions unlike European allies.

However, for months, Russia has rejected ceasefire proposals from the United States and Kyiv.

In recent days, Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Putin and hinted he might finally be considering tougher sanctions as discussions intensify in Congress.

When questioned about potential sanctions against Russia, Trump replied, “We’ll see what comes tomorrow, okay?” and reiterated his plans to meet with Rutte.

‘Sledgehammer’

On Sunday, U.S. senators promoted a bipartisan bill aimed at empowering Trump with “sledgehammer” sanctions against Russia.

The proposed sanctions bill would enable Trump “to target Putin’s economy and all nations supporting Russia’s military efforts,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham shared with CBS News.

This legislation “would grant President Trump the power to impose 500% tariffs on nations aiding Russia,” added Graham, highlighting countries that purchase Russian goods, such as China, India, or Brazil.

“This represents a genuine sledgehammer that President Trump can wield to end this conflict,” Graham asserted.

“This is undoubtedly the kind of leverage that could speed up peace talks and ensure that diplomatic efforts hold weight,” Zelensky stated in a recent post on X.

Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal are also scheduled to meet with NATO’s Rutte on Monday evening.

Blumenthal informed CBS News that discussions will also touch upon the complex issue of releasing frozen Russian assets in Europe and the U.S. for Ukrainian access.

“The $5 billion held by the United States could also be made available, and I believe it’s time to do so,” Blumenthal noted.