President Donald Trump did not confirm Saturday that Ukraine would get a license to manufacture Patriot missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday Trump had told him Ukraine would receive one; Trump instead called for Ukraine and Russia to make a deal.
Patriot interceptors are among the few weapons capable of taking down ballistic missiles. A global supply crunch prompted dozens of countries to reinforce their defenses, seriously affecting Ukraine’s supply. Zelensky has long sought U.S. permission for Ukrainian production; Trump indicated in July that an arrangement, likely involving U.S. companies, might be possible.
Ukraine has struggled to fend off recent Russian attacks without Patriot interceptors; seven people were killed in daytime drone strikes in Kyiv on Friday. CNN said it had contacted the White House for clarification on Trump’s remarks.
