President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will allow Ukraine to co-produce Patriot air defense missiles, saying Kyiv will receive a license to manufacture the advanced system as it continues defending against Russian missile attacks. Sitting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said the United States would provide Ukraine with the know-how needed to build the missile system domestically.
"Just a little birdie told me this, about the fact that we’ll give them the right to make Patriots, we’ll show them how to do it," Trump said. "It’s very complex, actually, but it’s — you’ll figure out the complexity quickly."
The announcement follows months of lobbying by Ukraine, which has sought permission to manufacture Patriot systems as Russian drone and ballistic missile strikes continue across the country. Trump said the United States would not be able to rapidly transfer additional Patriot missiles because of its own defense needs.
"We have Patriots, but we don’t have that many. We need them for ourselves too," he said. He later added, "So one of the things we’re going to be talking about is … we’re going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That’s pretty cool."
Trump added that this way, Ukraine would not be able to complain about not being provided weapons. "Make them yourself," the president said.
Trump and Zelensky met on the sidelines of the NATO gathering, where member nations discussed continued military support for Ukraine more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. The meeting marked another public appearance between the two leaders after a turbulent period in US-Ukraine relations, including their widely publicized Oval Office confrontation in early 2025.
During remarks at the summit, Trump also praised Ukraine's recent ability to strike targets deep inside Russia, saying the country's long-range capabilities have increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also rejected Putin's proposal to hold future peace negotiations in Moscow.
Zelensky responded with a joke, saying it would not be a good destination for him. "It's not safe," Zelensky said. "There's too many Ukrainian drones there. … It's not safe."
Trump was also asked whether he would consider visiting Ukraine. He replied that he would, but said he'd prefer for the conflict to end first. "I'd rather the war be over," Trump said.
"Just a little birdie told me this, about the fact that we’ll give them the right to make Patriots, we’ll show them how to do it," Trump said. "It’s very complex, actually, but it’s — you’ll figure out the complexity quickly."
The announcement follows months of lobbying by Ukraine, which has sought permission to manufacture Patriot systems as Russian drone and ballistic missile strikes continue across the country. Trump said the United States would not be able to rapidly transfer additional Patriot missiles because of its own defense needs.
"We have Patriots, but we don’t have that many. We need them for ourselves too," he said. He later added, "So one of the things we’re going to be talking about is … we’re going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That’s pretty cool."
Trump added that this way, Ukraine would not be able to complain about not being provided weapons. "Make them yourself," the president said.
Trump and Zelensky met on the sidelines of the NATO gathering, where member nations discussed continued military support for Ukraine more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. The meeting marked another public appearance between the two leaders after a turbulent period in US-Ukraine relations, including their widely publicized Oval Office confrontation in early 2025.
During remarks at the summit, Trump also praised Ukraine's recent ability to strike targets deep inside Russia, saying the country's long-range capabilities have increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also rejected Putin's proposal to hold future peace negotiations in Moscow.
Zelensky responded with a joke, saying it would not be a good destination for him. "It's not safe," Zelensky said. "There's too many Ukrainian drones there. … It's not safe."
Trump was also asked whether he would consider visiting Ukraine. He replied that he would, but said he'd prefer for the conflict to end first. "I'd rather the war be over," Trump said.
