"Putin Acted Like A Jerk."
- 8.07.2025, 14:35
The Kremlin chief's act infuriated Washington.
US President Donald Trump has decided to immediately resume military supplies to Ukraine, including anti-aircraft missiles for Patriot systems.
A source familiar with the decision said that "Putin was being a jerk".
The influential US publication Axios writes that with this move, Trump responded to Russia's largest airstrike on Ukraine during his presidency. During a phone call with Vladimir Zelensky on Friday, Trump promised to give Kiev 10 Patriot missiles and help find other munitions. According to a source in his inner circle, the Russian president has finally crossed the line.
Turn in relations
Donald Trump was once considered just about the most restrained Western leader toward the Kremlin.
He told his confidants that "this is not his war" and long avoided active intervention, limiting himself to cautious statements.
But that all changed after a new Russian airstrike - right after a phone contact with Trump. According to Axios, this cynical act was the last straw and demonstrated that Putin has no intention of stopping.
Germany Connects
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pressured the White House. He called Trump and offered to hand over Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Germany even expressed its willingness to buy the US systems and jointly finance their delivery to Kiev with Washington.
Sources said Trump offered Berlin an alternative: hand over one of its batteries and split the cost of the deal. The two sides have not yet reached a final agreement, but discussions are ongoing.
"It's not my war," which is becoming his war
Till recently, Trump believed that large-scale support for Ukraine could draw the US into the conflict. But after the bombing of Iran in June and Putin's new strikes on Ukrainian cities, the president, according to advisers, realized: it was impossible to remain silent any longer.
The Pentagon is now preparing arms shipments. According to Axios, the first shipments of missiles and ammunition may be sent to Ukraine in the coming weeks. U.S. military supplies to Kiev were suspended in June when the Pentagon was reviewing stockpiles after attacks on Iranian facilities.
Last week, Trump said Ukraine should seek a solution to the conflict on its own. But Putin's actions have made their mark: the White House has decided on a new course.