On July 11, 2025, following a series of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities including attacks on a maternity hospital in Kharkiv and a residential block in Kherson that resulted in civilian casualties, former U.S. President Donald Trump contacted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's successor, Chancellor Merz. Trump, responding to the escalating conflict and after viewing footage of the bombardments, proposed increasing Germany’s initial offer of two Patriot missile defense systems for Ukraine to five. This offer was made during a late-night phone call and came after Merz informed Trump about the U.S. Department of Defense's decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine. The proposal is currently under discussion among Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and other allied nations as they intensify talks with the United States regarding military support for Ukraine.