Zelenskyy Applauds U.S., NATO Commitment to Patriot Deal
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held separate high-level discussions Monday with US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, applauding their unified commitment to deliver Patriot missile systems and advanced weaponry to Ukraine under a new transatlantic defense initiative.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy described his exchange with Trump as “very good,” stating they spoke about efforts “to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace.”
“President Trump shared details about his meeting with the NATO Secretary-General. It’s important that the Alliance countries are working to increase defense spending,” he noted.
Zelenskyy emphasized that both parties explored strategies to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aggression and agreed to align their next moves.
He also conferred with NATO leader Mark Rutte, who provided insights from his recent Washington meeting with Trump and reiterated NATO’s ongoing unified backing for Ukraine.
“We appreciate the readiness to provide additional Patriots, and the US, Germany, and Norway are already working together on this,” Zelenskyy said. He noted that expanded arms shipments are expected to “protect lives of our people and repel Russian assaults.”
Zelenskyy restated Ukraine’s core position: “Russia must be forced to stop the killings,” and stressed that this “war continues solely because of Russia, because of Putin’s desire to drag it out. Peace is only possible through strength.”
He called for intensified international pressure to sever Russia’s financial lifelines and its strategic links with Iran and North Korea.
Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukraine, the US, Germany, and Norway are finalizing additional joint agreements involving the Patriot systems and long-term defense pacts with Washington.
While affirming Ukraine’s dedication to “all honest and effective steps toward lasting peace,” Zelenskyy warned that “Russia isn’t ready” and insisted that stronger global measures are needed.
His comments followed a stark ultimatum issued earlier Monday by Trump during his meeting with Rutte, where the former president threatened 100% secondary tariffs on Russia if a peace deal isn’t achieved within 50 days.
Trump also revealed that Patriot missile systems would be sent to Ukraine “within days” as part of a new arrangement where the US provides the weapons while European allies shoulder the full financial burden.
“We made a deal today … The United States will not be having any payment made,” Trump announced, adding that “a country with 17 Patriots” would soon deliver the systems, though he did not name the country.
Rutte confirmed NATO’s role in organizing the upcoming shipments.
These developments come on the heels of a Kyiv visit by Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, who held discussions with Zelenskyy focused on boosting air defense collaboration and domestic arms manufacturing.
“We hope for US leadership, as it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength,” Zelenskyy wrote following the meeting.
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