During the NATO summit in Turkey, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would grant Ukraine a license to produce the advanced Patriot missile defense system themselves, a cutting-edge air defense technology that the Ukrainian government has long sought for several years.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that the U.S. would grant Ukraine permission to produce the Patriot missile defense system under a U.S. license, responding to Ukraine's longstanding request for this technology.
Trump said during talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, “We will give you a license to produce the Patriot, so you can't complain anymore that we're not providing enough,” adding that the Patriot is a defensive weapon which he supports more than offensive arms.
Although Trump did not disclose details of the agreement, this stance marks a significant shift compared to his previous harsh criticisms of Zelensky. This time, Trump said they have developed a "very good" relationship and believes both Russia and Ukraine want to end the war.
Trump also revealed plans to discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin, acknowledging that ending the war is not easy. He said, “Putin is a tough person to deal with, and this one is tough too,” pointing to Zelensky sitting beside him. The Ukrainian leader responded by expressing confidence that Trump will do everything possible to end the conflict.
Sources involved in the discussions revealed that the Patriot missile defense systems under this new project are likely to be produced in Germany or another European country rather than directly in Ukraine, to reduce the risk of Russian attacks.
Trump stated that the U.S. may supply some additional Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine in the short term but acknowledged the U.S. has limited quantities, needing to retain some for national defense. He expressed confidence that Ukraine could quickly start production once technology transfer and cooperation from U.S. manufacturers are provided.
The Patriot missile defense system is the only air defense system in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, which are high-speed and difficult to counter. This capability has led President Zelensky to continuously request both deliveries and production rights of the system.
Lockheed Martin manufactures the Patriot missile defense system, which was developed by Raytheon and has been in use since the 1980s. Both companies collaborate with European weapons manufacturer MBDA on several projects.
Trump's announcement received bipartisan support in the U.S., with Republican Representative Don Bacon stating that increased production would address demand exceeding current capacity, while Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said allowing Ukraine to produce the missile defense system would save civilian lives, strengthen Ukraine's long-term security, and enhance the defense capabilities of the democratic world.
Analysts from the Atlantic Council view this decision as one of the most important outcomes of the NATO summit, reflecting a shift in Trump's stance toward Ukraine. Although it may not immediately affect battlefield conditions, it is a significant strategic signal because the U.S. rarely shares sensitive military technology with countries at war.
The announcement comes amid increased Russian air attacks on Ukraine, with recent missile strikes on Kyiv marking the third attack in less than a week. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 139 of 169 drones launched by Russia in one night but was unable to intercept all five ballistic missiles due to a severe shortage of U.S.-made missile defense systems.