President Donald Trump said the United States will allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missile systems under license, marking a major signal of support for Kyiv as Russia continues heavy aerial attacks.
Trump made the statement during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. According to Reuters, Trump told Zelenskyy that the U.S. would give Ukraine a license to make Patriots while also saying both Russia and Ukraine want the war to end.
The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to ask for more U.S.-made Patriot interceptors. Zelenskyy has repeatedly said Patriot systems are critical because they are among Ukraine’s most important defenses against Russian ballistic missiles. Reuters reported that the interceptors are the only weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal capable of shooting down those types of ballistic projectiles.
Ukraine had already been pushing for permission to manufacture U.S.-designed air-defense missiles locally. In June, Zelenskyy said the U.S. had responded positively for the first time to Ukraine’s request for licenses to produce Patriot-related weapons in Europe and Ukraine.
The need for air defense has become more urgent as Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks. Reuters reported that Russia launched another ballistic missile attack on Kyiv overnight, the third such attack on the Ukrainian capital in less than a week.
Trump’s comments also came during a broader NATO summit focused on Ukraine, European security, and defense spending. The Associated Press reported that Trump announced support for Ukraine’s local production of Patriot missile systems while NATO leaders discussed major defense aid and alliance security concerns.
However, licensed production would not mean Ukraine can immediately produce large numbers of missiles. Experts have warned that Patriot production is complicated and depends on specialized components, supply chains, and U.S. defense manufacturers. Reuters previously reported that one major production bottleneck involves key missile components, not only final assembly.
For Ukraine, the possible license is still an important step. If approved and implemented, it could help Kyiv build a longer-term supply of air-defense weapons instead of relying only on emergency shipments from allies. It could also allow European partners to play a bigger role in producing weapons needed for Ukraine’s defense.
The meeting also highlighted the difficult diplomacy surrounding the war. Trump said both sides want a settlement, but he described both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as difficult figures in negotiations. Zelenskyy told Trump he believed the U.S. president would do everything possible to help stop the war.
As Russia continues striking Ukrainian cities, Kyiv’s demand for Patriot missiles remains one of its top military priorities. Trump’s statement may not solve Ukraine’s immediate shortage, but it could become a major turning point if the U.S. follows through with licensing and production support.
