US to grant Ukraine license to make Patriot missile interceptors

ANKARA — President Donald Trump said the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, a move that could strengthen Kyiv’s ability to defend against Russian attacks.

Trump made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the NATO summit in Ankara, saying the decision would allow Ukraine to produce its own defensive weapons.

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

Trump described the Patriot system as a defensive weapon, adding that he preferred such systems over offensive weapons. He did not provide details on the agreement but said some interceptors could be delivered immediately while Ukraine works toward domestic production.

The announcement marked a shift in tone from Trump's previous criticism of Zelenskiy, including accusations that the Ukrainian leader was "ungrateful." Trump said the two had developed a "very good" relationship and that both Moscow and Kyiv wanted to end the war that began after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Trump also said he planned to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Wednesday, describing both Putin and Zelenskiy as difficult figures in efforts to end the conflict.

Zelenskiy told Trump that he was confident the U.S. president would work to stop the war.

Russia's foreign ministry criticized NATO decisions made at the Turkey summit after the alliance announced additional military support for Ukraine, warning that the moves could have serious consequences.

It remained unclear whether additional Patriot interceptors would be sent to Ukraine in the short term. Sources familiar with the discussions said new interceptors would likely be manufactured in Germany or another European country to reduce the risk of Russian strikes targeting production facilities inside Ukraine.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said granting Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptors would be significant but stressed that Kyiv urgently needs air-defence systems now.

Ukraine has repeatedly requested more U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, which are among the few systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles because of their speed and steep flight paths.

Trump said companies could be encouraged to increase production, noting that the United States also needs Patriot systems for its own defence.

Lockheed Martin is the main contractor for the interceptor missiles used in the Patriot system, which was developed by U.S. defence company Raytheon and has been in service since the 1980s. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon also have partnerships with European missile manufacturer MBDA.

Announcement Welcomed in Washington

Ukraine's ambassador to Washington, Olha Stefanishyna, said the Ankara meeting sent important signals about continued cooperation between the United States and Ukraine.

"We highly value the United States’ continued engagement in advancing a path toward a just and lasting peace," Stefanishyna said.

U.S. lawmakers also welcomed the announcement, saying increased Patriot interceptor production could help address shortages and strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities.

Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska called the move a positive decision, while Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said enabling Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors would help protect civilians and strengthen long-term security.

Charles Lichfield, deputy director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center, said the announcement could become one of the most significant outcomes of the NATO summit. He described it as a symbolic shift in Trump's approach toward Ukraine, noting that sharing sensitive military technology with a country at war is unusual.

Russia has intensified its air campaign against Ukraine in recent months as its ground advances have slowed. Ukrainian strikes on Russian military logistics and energy infrastructure have also contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia.

Russian forces launched another overnight missile attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, marking the third strike on the capital in less than a week. The attacks have highlighted Ukraine's shortage of U.S.-made air-defence interceptors.

Ukraine's air defences intercepted 139 of 169 drones launched during the overnight attacks, but were unable to shoot down any of the five ballistic missiles used by Russia, according to Ukrainian air force data. -Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Gram Slattery in Ankara and Katharine Jackson and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Andrea Shalal in Washington; Writing by Katharine Jackson and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Michelle Nichols, Don Durfee, Deepa Babington, Alistair Bell and Jamie Freed/Reuters