Trump approves Patriot missile production in Ukraine to boost air defences

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States will grant Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, a potentially significant step that could help Kyiv strengthen its air defences against Russia.

New production licence

Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit, Trump said the move would allow Ukraine to manufacture the U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles domestically.

"We're going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That's pretty cool. This way, you can't complain that we're not giving 'em enough," Trump said.

He described the Patriot system as a defensive capability, adding: "It's a defensive weapon, which I like better than an offensive weapon."

Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Washington to provide more Patriot interceptors. They remain the only weapons in Ukraine's arsenal capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, which are particularly difficult to intercept because of their speed and flight path.

Trump also suggested the U.S. government could encourage defence companies to increase production.

"We have great power over the companies, those companies that make the Patriot," he said.

He added: "We haven't informed the company of that yet, but that'll work out all right. I'm sure they will be thrilled."

U.S. defence company Lockheed Martin is the main contractor responsible for producing the interceptor missiles used in the Patriot system.

New attacks on Kyiv

The announcement came as Russia launched another overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said it was the third ballistic missile strike on the capital in less than a week, highlighting the country's continuing shortage of Patriot interceptors.

According to Ukraine's air force, air defences shot down 139 of the 169 drones launched overnight. However, none of the five ballistic missiles fired by Russia were intercepted.

Push for peace

Trump also said he believed both Moscow and Kyiv wanted to bring the war to an end, although he described negotiations as challenging.

"We've settled a lot of wars, and this one is the one that I thought maybe would be the easiest, but Putin is a difficult character, and this guy's a difficult character," Trump said, referring to Zelenskyy, who was sitting beside him.

Zelenskyy said he planned to discuss "some very important details" with Trump during their meeting.

"I'm sure you will do everything to stop this war," he told the U.S. president.

Russia has intensified its aerial campaign against Ukraine in recent months, even as fighting along parts of the frontline has slowed. At the same time, Ukrainian strikes on Russian military logistics and oil facilities have increased pressure on Moscow's war effort.

Read more:

• NATO Summit: President Trump lands in Türkiye ahead of meeting with alliance leaders
• Trump says Ukraine peace deal is closer than many realise

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