US President Donald Trump announced that America will manufacture weapons for Ukraine, with European countries covering the costs. The US will also authorize the transfer of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.
Trump disclosed these details during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
The revelation comes as Trump announced a new military assistance package for Ukraine totaling $10 billion, which includes Patriot missiles, air defense weapons, and artillery.
Trump specified that some European NATO members may purchase weapons from the US for themselves while transferring equipment from their own stockpiles to Ukraine. He named Germany among such countries.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on 14 July that Germany cannot provide Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems as the country has only six left from its original stock of 12. Pistorius reportedly planned to discuss US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth a proposal he made last month allowing Germany to purchase two Patriot systems from the US specifically for Ukraine.
The US President also said that countries possessing Patriot air defense systems can send them to Ukraine and receive replacements from America. Trump indicated the US can now allow a country with 17 Patriot systems to send “most of them” to Ukraine.
“We have one country that has 17 Patriot systems ready for shipment, a large number of these 17 will go to the battlefield. This can be done quickly,” Trump added.
The specific country Trump referenced remains unclear. Among European nations, Germany operates the most Patriot systems with 12 units.
Trump also stated he expects a deal to end the war within the next 50 days. Otherwise, the US will impose 100% tariffs against Russia.
The German government previously indicated readiness to purchase additional Patriot air defense systems from the United States and transfer them to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is prepared to buy ten Patriot air defense systems from the US for $15 billion, with some European partners potentially assisting with financing.
Ukraine needs more air defence systems to defend its citizen and infrustructure from Russian attacks that included more than 700 missile and drone strikes on some days last week.