President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States (U.S.) will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors.
He made the announcement during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, where Ukraine continued to press allies for more air defense capabilities to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.
NOW – Trump to grant Ukraine a license and teach them how to make Patriot Missiles. pic.twitter.com/FCWdwCus6p
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 8, 2026
“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. “It’s a defensive weapon, which I like better than an offensive weapon,” he added.
Trump however said Washington does not plan to send additional Patriot systems to Ukraine because of its own defense needs.
Trump said he had not yet informed Patriot manufacturers RTX and Lockheed Martin of the decision. “We haven’t informed the company of that yet, but that’ll work out all right,” he said. “You know, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled, but, you know, they’ll be able to do it. You’ll be able to figure that out.”
In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said he was grateful for the meeting focused on “strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses.”
“President Trump and I spoke about some ideas that could strengthen our positions and bring peace closer. I count on our teams to follow up promptly on everything discussed today. We also talked diplomacy – we are trying to make it work. We will keep working productively to make it happen,” Zelenskyy said.
Good meeting with President Trump @POTUS and his team. I’m grateful for the strong emphasis placed on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense to better protect people’s lives. President Trump and I spoke about some ideas that could strengthen our positions and bring peace closer. I… pic.twitter.com/AqOYUfm7et
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2026
RTX and Lockheed Martin have not yet commented on Trump’s announcement.
The Patriot system is considered Ukraine’s most effective defense against Russian ballistic missile attacks and has become one of Kyiv’s highest-priority military requirements. The system can detect, track and intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles at ranges of more than 160 kilometers (about 100 miles).
Last May, Zelenskyy appealed to the U.S. to grant Ukraine Patriot production licenses during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
“I asked the previous administration, I am asking today’s administration — give Ukraine licenses,” he said. “We will increase the production of Patriot missiles. It will be very helpful for us, it will be very helpful for the Middle East, for everybody whom the United States will decide to help.”
Zelenskyy renewed that appeal at the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday, urging allies to accelerate deliveries of Patriot interceptors, warning that Europe has no credible defense against Russia’s expanding ballistic missile campaign.
The appeal came a day after Russian forces attacked Kyiv with 68 missiles and 351 drones, killing at least 22 people. Ukraine failed to intercept any of the incoming ballistic missiles, citing shortage of Patriot interceptors.
