During a press conference held today, US President Donald Trump answered sharp questions from journalists regarding military aid to Ukraine. The focus was on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for long-range missiles and additional Patriot air defense systems for Kyiv. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, gave a detailed comment, shifting the focus of the discussion to the actions of the previous administration.
Biden's Legacy and Empty Warehouses
Responding to a direct question about Washington's readiness to meet Kyiv's requests, Trump stated that the US is also interested in having missiles, but the current situation with reserves is critical. The President accused Joe Biden of having "given away the majority" of the arsenal, leaving the country without sufficient ammunition. According to Trump, during Biden's time in office, weapons worth $300 billion were transferred to Ukraine. "When I left this office, the warehouses were full, and he gave away most of them," emphasized the American leader, adding that the administration is now forced to replenish stocks.
Evasive Answer Regarding Casualties
Journalists also touched upon the topic of the increase in Russian attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine. On this question, President Trump responded cautiously and evasively. He noted that the United States is not a direct party to the conflict, as an ocean separates them from it. Despite this, Trump expressed personal sympathy, stating that it is "painful to watch the losses on both sides." This response was perceived by observers as an attempt to distance the US from direct responsibility for the escalation of hostilities.
Contradictory Data
There is a significant discrepancy in the statements of the US administration regarding the prospects for Ukrainian production of interceptor missiles. On July 8, after a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Trump stated that Washington could allow Ukraine to establish its own production of missiles for Patriot systems. However, less than three weeks later, on July 31, the White House's position changed drastically. Trump stated that licenses for the production of interceptors were not granted to Ukraine and probably will not be granted in the future, arguing the need to "be very careful about transferring the secrets of this weapon".
Negotiations on Localization and Peace
Despite contradictions regarding licensing, the topic of production localization and the peace process remains relevant. On July 28, the parties raised this issue again during negotiations. The discussion covered not only the possibility of producing interceptors on Ukrainian territory but also the activation of the peace process. However, given Trump's recent statements about maintaining the secrecy of Patriot technologies, the prospects for implementing plans for production localization remain in serious doubt.
