Trump praises Ukraine as ‘great country’; Zelenskyy responds with Patriot reminder
US President Donald Trump praised Ukraine as a “great country” and expressed confidence in its future as a sovereign state in an Independence Day message, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to respond with a pointed reference to Ukraine’s need for Patriot air defense missiles.
“With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country,” Trump wrote in a letter marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s restoration of independence.
Trump said the United States admired Ukrainians’ resilience, honored their sacrifices and remained confident in Ukraine’s future as “a sovereign, prosperous nation.”
“Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come,” he added.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for what he called “warm and heartening” congratulations, but used his response to point to Ukraine’s continuing need for US-made Patriot interceptors.
“These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
Ukraine has repeatedly warned that it does not have enough Patriot interceptors to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine received three times fewer missiles capable of intercepting ballistic threats this year than in 2025, with partners citing the war in the Middle East as a reason for reduced supplies.
Zelenskyy said on Aug. 23 that Ukraine is seeking 300 Patriot interceptors ahead of winter. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he plans to travel to the United States in September to push Trump to give Ukraine access to US Patriot stocks.
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