FT: Trump "not sure" about granting Ukraine licence to produce Patriot missiles
US President Donald Trump has said he has not yet decided whether to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, casting doubt on whether Washington will approve one of Kyiv's key defence priorities.
Source: Trump in comments to the Financial Times
Details: Trump said he was "not sure" whether Washington would grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missiles, adding that "we're looking at it".
Quote from Trump: "It's a very extraordinary weapon, and . . . we have to be a little bit careful of who we license to. We don't really license equipment."
Details: Trump's comments came just two days after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Zelenskyy described the meeting as "good" and said the two leaders had discussed "Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas".
Earlier in July, at the NATO summit in Türkiye, the US president said Washington would grant Kyiv a licence to produce Patriot missiles.
Quote from the FT: "The Patriot air-defence system is vital for Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian ballistic missiles that are targeting Kyiv and other cities. Persuading Trump to consider allowing Kyiv to produce the missiles represents a significant achievement for Zelenskyy."
Details: Trump also told the FT that his focus is on ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He added that his two envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, would make their first visit to Ukraine in the coming days.
Quote from Trump: "Very simply put, we want the war in Ukraine with Russia ended.
I'm not looking for missiles. We're looking for peace."
Background:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 28 July he had discussed licences for the production of Patriot interceptors and efforts to intensify the diplomatic process during his meeting with Trump.
- Zelenskyy also met representatives of the defence company Lockheed Martin in the US. The company produces ATACMS, HIMARS, F-16 fighter jets and missiles for Patriot systems.
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