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
Police: Florida teacher used AI to make child sexual abuse images of students

Florida Teacher Accused of Using AI to Produce Child Sexual Abuse Images of Students

David McKeown, 47, is facing 25 charges for possession of child sexual…

Video: Person wearing a mask cycles down a street in Colorado and tears down Pride flags

LONGMONT, Colo. (KDVR) Doorbell video captured a masked man on an electric…
Florida AG says lawmakers criticizing ICE should leave US

Florida enacts ‘Missy’s Law’ after the tragic killing of a 5-year-old girl

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be…
Shell targets rival in huge oil deal poised to shake up gas stations

Shell aims at competitor in significant oil agreement set to disrupt gas stations landscape

Shell is in early-stage discussions to acquire rival oil giant BP in…
DOGE aide known as 'Big Balls' resigns

‘DOGE Assistant Nicknamed ‘Big Balls’ Steps Down’

(The Hill) – A Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aide known as…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is expected to be released from jail only to be taken into immigration custody

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be freed from prison but will be detained by immigration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia is expected to be released…
Social media influencer 'Liver King' arrested in Texas

Popular social media personality ‘Liver King’ taken into custody in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) Authorities in Austin, Texas, have arrested Brian Johnson, known…
Iranian dissident leader outlines vision for regime change, says it's 'inevitable'

Iranian dissident leader outlines vision for regime change, says it’s ‘inevitable’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! As President Donald Trump’s…