Germany cautiously optimistic ahead of Trump Ukraine statement, says govt official

BERLIN, July 14 (Reuters) - Germany is cautiously optimistic ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned statement on Ukraine, with the expectation being that the U.S. and European countries would cooperate on getting further air defence systems to Ukraine, a German government official said.

"The signals we have received from Washington in recent weeks make us cautiously optimistic," the official said.

Among the options under discussion was the possibility of Germany sending Ukraine Patriot missile systems from its own stocks and buying replacements from the U.S, the officials added.