On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the United States will provide Ukraine with a production license to manufacture its own Patriot missile interceptors, fulfilling a significant request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
While speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, alongside Zelenskyy, President Trump stated that the license would be granted, although he noted that the companies responsible for the Patriot defense system—Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon)—had not yet been notified. CBS News has reached out to Lockheed Martin for their response.
The Patriot missile system, recognized as one of the most advanced defense technologies, has played a crucial role in countering Russian offensives.
“I’ve heard from reliable sources that we will allow them to produce Patriots,” President Trump remarked. “We will guide them through the process, which is quite intricate. However, they will quickly grasp the complexities involved.”
“We will be granting you a license to manufacture Patriots,” he reiterated.
President Trump also mentioned that the U.S. does not intend to supply additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, citing the need to retain the equipment for U.S. defense purposes.
In May, Zelenskyy had appealed for these Patriot licenses during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” stating, “I requested this from previous and current administrations; we need licenses to produce our own Patriots. This will significantly aid us and serve the interests of the Middle East and others whom the United States chooses to assist.”
During his remarks in Ankara, President Trump hinted at the possibility of a deal concerning the purchase of Ukrainian drones, although he did not provide a definite commitment. The Ukrainian military has notably surpassed expectations in its conflict with Russia, largely due to their rapid adaptation to new technologies and effective drone warfare strategies.
At the same time, President Trump, who has previously expressed a degree of understanding and admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, acknowledged the difficulties faced by Russia. He mentioned that Russia, which instigated the conflict, could terminate it by withdrawing from Ukrainian territory.
“It has been hard on Russia,” President Trump stated.
He also indicated plans to speak with Putin later and invited reporters to suggest questions for the Russian leader. When a Ukrainian journalist inquired about when the war would conclude, President Trump acknowledged, “That’s an excellent question. I don’t believe I have ever asked him that. I will be sure to ask him.”
President Trump’s interactions with Zelenskyy underscore their complex relationship, which was notably marked by a controversial phone call in 2019 that led to Trump’s first impeachment. Tensions from a heated meeting in the Oval Office last year took time to resolve.
Following the press conference with Zelenskyy, President Trump shared on Truth Social, “We just concluded a press conference with the media. It went exceptionally well. Everyone is seeking a resolution. Very encouraging!”
