U.S. President Trump announced at the NATO summit in Ankara that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with a production license to build its own Patriot missile interceptors, fulfilling a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during ongoing conflict with Russia.
Trump stated that while Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon) have not yet been informed of this decision, the U.S. administration plans to grant the license, which uses advanced defense technology crucial in countering Russian attacks.
Zelenskyy previously advocated for Patriot licenses on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” in May, emphasizing that increased production would significantly aid Ukraine and other regions under threat from Russia.
Trump also hinted at potential talks regarding Ukrainian drones but did not fully commit to a deal. He expressed some empathy towards Putin, suggesting that if Russia withdraws from occupied Ukrainian territory, it could end the war.
During his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump reiterated his intention to ask Putin about ending the conflict when speaking later. This interaction underscores the complex relationship between the two leaders, marked by past tensions and a recent positive news conference.
“President Zelenskyy and I just had a News Conference with the Fake News,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting. “It went very well. Everybody is looking for a solution. Very positive!”