Trump says US to license Ukraine's production of Patriot defense systems

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems. This move offers a significant boost to Ukraine's defense capabilities as it continues to counter Russian missile attacks.

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We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it.

Trump stated that the U.S. will "show them how to do it," expressing confidence that Ukraine could produce the systems quickly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long sought such a license to bolster domestic production of the much-needed technology.

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I think they can produce them pretty quickly.

The announcement came during a NATO summit where Trump's interactions with Zelenskyy appeared warmer than in previous encounters. Trump lauded Zelenskyy's handling of the war, calling him "very effective" and noting a surprisingly good relationship had developed between them. He suggested a peace deal was on the horizon and that the U.S. would offer a security package to Ukraine.

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We’ve actually developed a good relationship. It’s hard to believe.

However, Trump's engagement with NATO allies was more contentious. He criticized some European nations for not meeting defense spending targets and for not supporting U.S. actions in Iran. Trump also reiterated his past claims about the U.S. needing Greenland for protection, despite Denmark's assertions of defending its territory. These criticisms, while sometimes divisive, have previously led to greater European unity in facing regional threats.

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We need it for protection of the world, not just the United States.