https://time.com/article/2026/07/08/trump-zelensky-ukraine-patriot-missile-interceptors-russia-nato/So much for Putin's puppet, eh?
President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. would extend Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors as the country continues to defend itself against Russia.
“We'll give them the right to make Patriots. We'll show them how to do it,” Trump said on day two of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. “It's very complex, actually, but you'll figure out the complexity quickly.”
"It's a defensive weapon, which I like better than an offensive weapon," he added.
The verbal assurance of a license commitment was vague, with several key details left unaddressed.
Trump said he had not yet informed defense manufacturers of his decision, but expressed hope “that'll work out alright.”
Asked whether the United States would immediately provide the air defense systems, Trump said “some” could be sent swiftly, yet emphasized “we have Patriots, but we don't have that many. We need them for ourselves, too.”
Insisting that Ukraine will soon be able to produce its own, he added: “Once we explain it, we'll bring the company here. [Ukraine] will work with the company. They have a great ability to produce weapons, pretty complex weapons.”
