Trump: US to license Patriot system production for Ukraine

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems. Trump stated during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Turkey that Ukraine would be shown how to produce the systems, suggesting they could be manufactured relatively quickly.

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We're going to give them the right to make the Patriot systems. We'll show them how to make them. I think they can make them pretty quickly.

This development is significant for Ukraine, which has urgently sought Patriot systems amid the ongoing conflict. The systems are expensive, in high demand, and time-consuming to produce. Zelenskyy has been requesting more of these systems for years and recently sought a license for domestic production.

Trump's tone during the meeting with Zelenskyy was notably warmer than in previous encounters. He commended Zelenskyy's work in the war, calling him "incredibly effective" and expressing surprise at their developing "good relationship." Trump conveyed his belief that a peace agreement is on the horizon and indicated the U.S. would work on a "security package" for Ukraine.

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He's doing an incredible job and he's very effective in the war.

However, Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with some NATO partners regarding their opposition to his interest in Greenland and their lack of support for his actions concerning Iran. This contrasts with his more accommodating stance toward Ukraine.

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We've actually developed a very good relationship. Hard to believe.