On Wednesday, President Trump humorously suggested to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States would provide Kyiv with a license to manufacture its own Patriot air-defense missiles. “This way, you won’t be able to say we’re not supplying enough,” Trump quipped.
Before a private meeting with Zelensky during the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump commented, “I heard we’ll be discussing granting them the rights to produce Patriots.” This was before their scheduled conversation behind closed doors.
Trump predicted that Ukraine could initiate Patriot missile production as early as this fall, once the groundwork is set.
“We’ll guide them through the process, though it’s quite intricate. But I’m confident they will quickly grasp the complexities,” Trump assured. “The company responsible for their manufacture is currently building four plants. Within two to three months, all our companies will be equipped to handle this,” he added.
The shortage of Patriot missiles has been a longstanding issue, now reaching a critical level. This depletion has recently compelled Ukraine to endure missile strikes on Kyiv without defense, as resources are stretched thin.