Trump backs license for Patriot missile production in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
US President Donald Trump has backed granting Ukraine a license to produce missiles for Patriot air defense systems domestically, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the two leaders met in New York on Tuesday.
Zelenskyy said US defense contractor Raytheon was ready to move forward with the project, while launching production in Ukraine could take about a year to 18 months. Kyiv has asked Trump to help speed up the process, he added.
“President Trump is positive about the licensing issue,” Zelenskyy told reporters following the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The two leaders also discussed a possible ceasefire covering energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for any reciprocal arrangement under which it would halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure.
“We are ready for any format of an energy ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump, meanwhile, said Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries had dealt Moscow a “serious blow,” while also affecting global diesel prices.
Zelenskyy and Trump spoke behind closed doors for about 40 minutes after a joint appearance before reporters. Trump said the two sides were working toward ending the war but did not disclose details of the discussions.