Ukraine Secures New Air Defense Assistance from US Amid Intensified Drone Attacks**

With Russia's drone attacks escalating, the US is set to send additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine through NATO. President Trump claims NATO will bear the costs, responding to President Zelensky's urgent requests for military support.**

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent plea for military aid has been met with a response from US President Donald Trump, who has announced the provision of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Speaking to NBC News, Trump stated that weapons, including these crucial defense systems, would be sent via NATO, with the alliance covering the financial costs.

Zelensky underscored the urgent need for ten additional Patriot systems, highlighting a recent spike in Russian drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian cities. He noted that Germany and Norway have already committed to funding a portion of these systems. During a speech in Rome, Zelensky emphasized the need for timely delivery of aid, stressing that the intensifying attacks posed significant dangers.

After discussing the situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress towards peace, describing Putin's earlier conciliatory stances as misleading. He also indicated plans to make a significant statement concerning Russia in the near future, although specifics were not provided.

As previous shipments of critical weaponry were reportedly paused, including Patriot interceptor missiles, concerns in Kyiv have escalated regarding the nation's air defense capabilities, especially in light of record-breaking drone assaults. On a recent Tuesday, Ukraine experienced its highest number of drone attacks, with a staggering 728 incidents documented in one night. This surge in violence has raised alarms about potential increased casualties, with June reporting the highest civilian toll in three years, according to the UN.

The US has been a dominant source of military aid for Ukraine since the conflict escalated in early 2022, contributing approximately $69 billion through the end of 2024. In light of these developments, Trump has called for NATO allies to contribute more robustly to the alliance, echoing previously made pledges among European members to allocate 2% of their GDP to defense.

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has encouraged allied nations, such as Germany and Spain, to expedite the transfer of existing Patriot systems to Ukraine, the country's leadership has been urging for resumption of vital military supplies. As tensions remain high, the global community watches closely as the US and NATO navigate their roles in supporting Ukraine's defense efforts against ongoing Russian aggression.