Trump on Patriot missiles for Ukraine: "We want missiles too"

- 7 August, 00:30
Donald Trump. Photo: The White House

US President Donald Trump, responding to a question about Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine, said that former US President Joe Biden had provided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a "tremendous amount" of military aid, claiming it totalled US$300 billion.

Source: Trump speaking in the Oval Office, broadcast by Sky News

Details: Trump was also asked about long-range missiles for Ukraine, including interceptors for Patriot air defence systems.

"President Zelenskyy says his country desperately needs long range missiles or those Patriot missile batteries," the question said.

Quote from Trump: "We want missiles too.

Biden gave him so much, Biden gave US$300 billion dollars worth of ammunition."

Previously: The Financial Times learned that Trump had declined Zelenskyy's request for hundreds of additional interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defence system during a meeting at the White House.

Background:

  • Trump rejected reports in the media claiming that the US military is facing ammunition shortages due to the conflict with Iran. He said the US has massive stockpiles of ammunition.
  • Media outlets also reported that Trump had demanded an explanation from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a meeting at Camp David last week over claims that he had apparently been misled about a severe ammunition shortage that could limit US military capabilities in the conflict with Iran.
  • Trump defended Hegseth following a series of reports about disagreements over declining US weapons stockpiles.

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