President Donald Trump has once again made it clear—America won’t foot the bill for endless foreign wars. Speaking to reporters late Sunday, Trump confirmed that more U.S.-made Patriot missiles are headed to Ukraine amid escalating Russian strikes. But this time, Europe is paying for it—not American taxpayers.
“We’re not paying anything for it. But we will send it, it will be business for us,” Trump said. “They do need protection.”
This marks a dramatic shift from past administrations that prioritized unchecked foreign aid over American economic interests. Trump’s move reinforces a common-sense approach to foreign policy: help allies without draining U.S. stockpiles or burdening working Americans.
While President Trump was making policy clear in Washington, retired General Keith Kellogg—now serving as Trump’s Special Envoy to Ukraine—arrived in Kyiv for a round of top-level intelligence and security discussions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would fully brief General Kellogg in order to lead “a discussion on what can be done to force Russia into peace.” That’s a notable shift in tone—away from open-ended warfare and toward meaningful negotiation.
Zelensky’s office confirmed the agenda includes “defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protecting our people,” and enhancing U.S.-Ukraine cooperation.
Ukraine is currently under a barrage of nightly missile and drone attacks from Russia, sometimes facing more than 500 strikes per night. These unprecedented numbers are raising concerns about Moscow’s growing industrial strength and ability to procure components despite Western sanctions.
Trump didn’t mince words about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s duplicity:
“Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody… I don’t like it.”
The sharp increase in Russian attacks underscores the fragility of the situation in Eastern Europe—and the wisdom of Trump’s strategic posture: defend allies, but make others share the burden.
The Patriot missile system—capable of intercepting ballistic missiles—costs over $3 million per launch. Each successful defense might require multiple interceptors, making them a serious commitment.
Even more concerning is their limited production. The U.S. reportedly only manufactures two missiles per day, and U.S. stockpiles could be down to 25% of strategic requirement levels.
With potential flashpoints looming in Taiwan and Iran, sending U.S. interceptors abroad is not a decision taken lightly. Trump’s approach keeps U.S. interests front and center: Ukraine receives the protection it needs, but not at the expense of American readiness.
President Trump’s policy reflects a strong America First strategy: protect our allies without emptying our arsenal or our wallets. As the Biden-era globalist approach continues to drain U.S. military and economic resources, Trump’s leadership signals a return to fiscal prudence, strategic clarity, and common-sense diplomacy.
