US might supply Ukraine with US‑made Patriot air‑defense batteries

(MENAFN)
Ukraine may have a realistic shot at acquiring five US‑made Patriot air‑defense batteries after US President Donald Trump avoided rejecting the request outright during the recent NATO summit in The Hague, according to former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko.

“Trump did not say ‘no,’ and that’s already better than a clear refusal,” Ohryzko said, describing the opening as a chance for Kyiv to intensify its bid—potentially via a commercial arrangement. “This is an extremely important signal,” he continued. “We need to do everything we can to support this initiative and create a political background that makes it beneficial for Trump to go ahead with it.”

Ohryzko also argued that Ukraine’s partners could help if Washington hesitates. “Even if the US, for political reasons, at some stage does not want to directly supply us with weapons, they can do so indirectly -- through European partners,” he noted, pointing to flexible transfer options. He further praised summit decisions that aim to streamline defense‑production hurdles, calling them a major boost for Ukraine’s arms industry.

Officials declined to discuss reports of fresh Patriot negotiations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, citing confidentiality. Trump himself, however, was noncommittal yet open: “Let’s see if we can make them available,” he said when asked about Ukraine’s request.

MENAFN28062025000045017281ID1109735292