Nato allies to buy US Patriot missiles for Ukraine as Trump gives Putin 50-day deadline

Patriot air defence systems, missiles and ammunition are among the weapons European Nato allies will begin funnelling to Ukraine, following an arms agreement brokered by US president Donald Trump.

Announcing the plan at the White House, Mr Trump said Nato allies would buy the American equipment, with the US replenishing their stockpiles.

Many of the systems are ready for immediate shipment, according to officials, coming either from existing inventories or recent production.

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"It's a very big deal we've made," Mr Trump said, appearing alongside Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"You have very wealthy countries buying the best equipment in the world."

Eight Nato countries join deal

Mr Rutte said at least eight Nato countries were prepared to pay for the weapons and praised Mr Trump for helping Ukraine get "what it needs to have to maintain, to be able to defend itself, against Russia".

Germany has already pledged to buy two Patriot systems, with Norway offering a third.

One unnamed country is reportedly ready to sell 17 Patriot launchers, possibly referring to a 2020 deal between Raytheon and Switzerland.

Other weapons in the deal could include 155-millimetre artillery shells – vital on the frontlines – and, potentially, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), which Ukraine has long requested but not yet received.

The UN has reported that more Ukrainians were killed in June than in any other month since the war began, with Russian forces continuing to press in eastern Ukraine.

Trump sets 50-day ultimatum

Mr Trump warned that unless Russia agrees to a peace deal within 50 days, the US would impose tariffs of up to 100% on Russian exports and on countries continuing to trade with Moscow.

In a BBC interview, Mr Trump said he had approached President Vladimir Putin about a ceasefire on four occasions, but each time it was followed by new Russian attacks.

"We'll have a great conversation. I'll say, 'I think we're close to getting it done', and then he'll knock down a building in Kyiv," Mr Trump said.

"I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him.”

Ukraine welcomes support but warns of delays

President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the arms deal and said Ukraine was working on "major" defence agreements with the Trump administration, but he declined to provide details.

Ukraine currently has around eight Patriot systems, although some are undergoing repairs, and most are concentrated around Kyiv, leaving other cities exposed.