Trump approves licenses for Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles, Zelenskyy says
US President Donald Trump has made a final decision to approve licenses allowing Ukraine to produce missiles for Patriot air defense systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sept. 25.
“There are specific agreements. At our latest meeting, President Trump emphasized to me: ‘Yes, I have made the final decision, and Ukraine will receive licenses to produce Patriot missiles,’” Zelenskyy told reporters.
The announcement marks a shift from Trump’s earlier public comments on transferring Patriot missile technology to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy previously said the issue of producing Patriot missiles in Ukraine had been resolved “politically” with Trump. Trump also suggested that Washington could grant Ukraine a production license, but later said he had not yet given his approval and warned that the United States should be cautious about transferring sensitive technology.
The announcement comes as Ukraine faces shortages of missiles capable of intercepting ballistic threats. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine received three times fewer such missiles this year than in 2025, with partners citing fighting in the Middle East as the reason for reduced supplies.