Trump casts doubt on Ukraine's ability to produce Patriot missiles under license
US President Donald Trump is not sure whether Washington will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air-defense missiles under a license; the issue was discussed during his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky.
US President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty about whether Ukraine will be allowed to manufacture Patriot air-defense missiles under an American license. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said he is uncertain and that the matter is still being reviewed.
The issue, which is one of Kyiv's main priorities, was discussed when Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House this week. Trump described the Patriot as a highly unusual weapons system, arguing that Washington needs to be cautious about issuing licenses. He also noted that the US does not normally grant licenses for equipment.
Russia has recently intensified its ballistic missile strikes against Ukraine, and only American-made Patriot systems are capable of intercepting such missiles. Ukrainian officials see domestic production of these missiles as crucial to strengthening the country's air defenses.
In July, after meeting Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump announced that the US would grant Ukraine the rights to produce Patriot missiles. His latest remarks, however, suggest a more reserved stance, leaving the fate of that pledge unclear.
