Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the United States would allow licensed production of the US-made Patriot system, one of Ukraine’s most sought-after air defence platforms as Russia steps up aerial bombardments.
The announcement comes as Ukraine faces an acute shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, which are used to defend against ballistic missile attacks. Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities amid a series of large-scale Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities.
Trump also said both Russia and Ukraine want to reach a settlement to end the war, although he described both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “difficult characters.” He said he hoped further discussions could help bring the conflict to an end.
The licensing arrangement would mark a significant expansion of defence cooperation, allowing Patriot systems to be produced outside the United States to help address supply constraints and speed up deliveries for Ukraine.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the NATO summit, where allied leaders reaffirmed military support for Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion.