US President Donald Trump, commenting on Ukraine’s proposal to purchase US-made Patriot air defence systems to protect its skies, suggested that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had "started the war".

Source: European Pravda, citing Trump’s remarks during a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House on 14 April

Details: When asked whether he had discussed Zelenskyy’s offer to purchase Patriot systems, Trump said the Ukrainian president is "always looking to purchase missiles".

Quote: "Listen, when you start a war, you've got to know that you can win the war, right? You don’t start a war against somebody that's 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles."

More details: Trump then boasted that he was the one who gave Ukraine Javelin anti-tank systems, which is "how they [Ukrainiuans – ed.] won their first big battle, with the tanks that got stuck in the mud and they took them out with Javelins".

Quote: "They [Ukrainians – ed.] had an expression at the time: Obama gave them sheets and Trump gave them Javelins." 

Background: 

• Earlier, President Zelenskyy had stated that Ukraine was ready to buy 10 Patriot systems from the US for US$15 billion and noted that European partners were willing to help with financing.
• In March, Trump pledged to cooperate with President Zelenskyy in sourcing Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine.

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