FT: Trump declined Zelenskyy's request for additional Patriot missiles
The Financial Times has learned that US President Donald Trump declined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for hundreds of additional interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defence system during a meeting at the White House last week.
Source: Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, as reported by European Pravda
Details: People familiar with the matter told the FT that Trump had rejected Zelenskyy's request for hundreds of additional Patriot interceptor missiles ahead of the winter season during their meeting in the Oval Office last week.
The sources said Trump had justified the decision by citing limited US interceptor stockpiles, adding that the missiles are currently needed to protect American facilities in the Middle East and US allies in the region amid the conflict with Iran.
Background:
- Following media reports that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles have been significantly depleted, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the reports as inaccurate and accused journalists of spreading "fake news".
- According to CNN, the US military has used around 80% of its THAAD interceptor missiles and approximately 65% of its Patriot interceptor missile stockpile during its military campaign against Iran.
- Trump has also backtracked after previously signalling that he might allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles under licence. The US president has since said that he has not yet made a final decision.
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