Trump doesn't rule out sending Ukraine more Patriot missiles after Zelenskyy meeting
Share and Follow

Following his closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit on Wednesday, President Donald Trump didn’t rule out sending Ukraine monetary and defense aid as he voiced frustrations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his press conference at the conclusion of his trip to The Hague, Netherlands, Trump signaled a willingness to provide Ukraine with additional aid and sell or send Patriot air-defense missiles to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

“They do want to have the anti-missile, missiles,” Trump said of Ukraine. “As they call them the Patriots, and we’re going to see if we can make some available.”

Trump’s openness comes as Zelenskyy told ABC News earlier this month the United States diverted anti-drone weapons, previously promised to Ukraine under a Biden administration agreement, to the Middle East.

“You know, they’re very hard to get. We need them to. We were supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective, 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective,” Trump said.

“As far as money going, we’ll see what happens. There’s a lot of spirit,” Trump added.

Trump also appeared to shift his tone when describing his conversation with Zelenskyy, a relationship marked by many pivots.

“He was very nice, actually. You know, we had little rough times sometimes. He was uh – couldn’t have been nicer. I think he’d like to see an end to this. I do,” he said of Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy offered similar praise of Trump, calling their meeting “long and substantive” while affirming he told him Ukraine is ready to buy more U.S. weapons.

“With the President, we discussed the protection of our people – first and foremost, the purchase of American air defense systems to cover our cities, our people, churches, and infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Ukraine is ready to buy this equipment and support American arms manufacturers. Europe can help as well,” Zelenskyy said. “We also talked about possible joint drone production. We can strengthen each other.”

During his press conference, Trump added Zelenskyy was fighting a “brave” and “tough” battle while putting pressure on Putin to show more willingness to end the conflict.

“Look. Vladimir Putin really has to end that war. People are dying at levels that people haven’t seen for a long time.”

Then, when pressed on why he wasn’t able to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine quickly as he adamantly claimed while on the campaign trail, Trump again pointed the blame towards Putin.

“It’s more difficult than people wouldn’t have any idea,” Trump said.

“Vladimir Putin has been more difficult. Frankly, I had some problems with Zelenskyy. You may have read about him, and it’s been more difficult than other wars.”

Trump’s public praise of Zelenskyy marks a shift in tone for the President, who has had public battles with the leader of Ukraine.

Most notably in February, a public Oval Office spat between the two officials led to a scrapped bilateral mineral deal, which wasn’t finalized for two months until the pair sat down together on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral.

Then, in recent weeks, as Trump focused on negotiating an agreement between Iran and Israel, he left last week’s G7 Summit in Canada early, skipping out on a bilateral with Ukraine.

However, after their meeting on Wednesday, Trump displayed more compassion for the situation in Ukraine in a moment highlighted by his exchange with a Ukrainian reporter who said her husband was a Ukrainian soldier while she and her children fled to Warsaw for safety.

“Wow, that’s rough stuff, right? That’s tough,” Trump said, asking the reporter many personal questions before answering her policy question.

“That’s very good question. And I wish you a lot of luck. I mean, I can see it’s very upsetting to you. So say hello to your husband. Okay?” Trump said.

Copyright © 2025 ABC News Internet Ventures.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
MARK HALPERIN reveals his private talks with the president

Mark Halperin Discloses His Personal Conversations with the President

When future history educators attempt to articulate Donald J. Trump to perplexed…
The major peace offering Prince Harry has made to the Royal family

Prince Harry Extends Significant Peace Gesture to the Royal Family

Prince Harry has proposed sharing details of his official engagements with the…
NYC Mayor Adams blasts Cuomo for resigning as NY governor during sexual harrassment probe

NYC Mayor Adams Criticizes Cuomo’s Resignation During Sexual Harassment Investigation

On Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams criticized Andrew Cuomo for resigning as governor…
The tree in California that's older than the Egyptian pyramids

The Ancient California Tree That Predates the Egyptian Pyramids

BIG PINE, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) Hidden high in the White Mountains of eastern…
Kansas deputy fatally shot by suspect barricaded in house: sheriff

Kansas deputy fatally shot by suspect barricaded in house: sheriff

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Kansas sheriff’s deputy…
Sharon Osbourne's final act of love for husband Ozzy revealed 

Sharon Osbourne’s ultimate gesture of love for husband Ozzy disclosed

Sharon Osbourne’s final act of love for her husband Ozzy has come…
Mayor weighs into arrest of driver after cops smashed window

Mayor Comments on Driver’s Arrest Following Police Window-Smashing Incident

The mayor of a Florida city is addressing the incident where police…
Urgent recall of cheeseburger brand over 'life-threatening' error

Immediate recall of cheeseburger brand due to ‘potentially deadly’ mistake

The FDA has put out a critical alert regarding a burger and…