Donald Trump: The US also needs Patriots, Ukrainians want them as soon as possible
US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to consider providing Ukraine with the Patriot air defense system, but at the same time stressed that the United States itself is dependent on this high-tech weapon. Speaking at a press conference following the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump stressed that this topic requires the most careful study and is not an issue that can be resolved on the fly. His words were made in response to a Ukrainian journalist's question about the possible sale of Patriot systems by the US to Kyiv. During the discussion, Trump first clarified whether the interlocutor lives in Ukraine and whether her husband is currently at the front. When she confirmed that her husband is a military man and that he is currently defending the country, the president agreed that it is very difficult and complicated - and paused to show his sympathy. After that, he went directly to the issue of helping Ukraine, noting that the United States appreciates its desire to obtain systems such as Patriot, because the Ukrainians really need them to protect themselves from Russian missiles and aircraft. "They really want to get anti-ballistic missiles, in particular the Patriot systems. And we will see if we can help them. It is not an easy thing - they are difficult to get, but we also need them very much," Trump said, adding that these systems have proven their effectiveness and are highly valued by the United States, in particular in countries such as Israel. He emphasized that the Patriot systems have shown themselves 100%, and their effectiveness is difficult to imagine. At the end of the conversation, Trump wished the Ukrainian delegation a safe journey and conveyed words of greeting to his interlocutor - the husband of a Ukrainian journalist who is abroad: "I wish you a lot of luck. I see that this is very upsetting for you. Give your husband my regards." Thus, the president tried to emphasize that the issue of supplying Patriot systems remains open and depends on several factors, including the level of need and capabilities of the United States. Recall that Ukraine is actively seeking to obtain modern air defense systems to protect its territory from Russian aggression, since their availability is a priority issue for the country's security. The United States, for its part, is considering this possibility, while understanding that such systems are strategically important for the national security of the United States and its allies. Accordingly, the decision to sell or transfer them must be considered and take into account a wide range of circumstances.