
WASHINGTON
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Ukraine has requested another Patriot air-defense system from the US, but no final decision has been made on it.
"They would like it. They've asked for it. They're very rare indeed .... I know they made the request. We're going to have to take a look at it," Trump told reporters.
His remarks came one day after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Trump is considering sending the air-defense system to Ukraine after vowing in recent days to strengthen Kyiv against Russian attacks.
Trump said it is a "very expensive" system.
"It's a shame that we have to spend so much money on a war that would have never happened if I were president. That's a terrible, terrible war over there. And truly a shame. It's very sad," he added, noting that he is "not happy" with what is going on in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Trump said the US will send defensive weapons to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia.
"We're going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons primarily, but they're getting hit very, very hard," he said.
The move to send the weapons follows separate conversations Trump had last week with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Afterward, Trump described his discussion with Putin as disappointing, saying there was “no progress” toward a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.