US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, a move that could significantly strengthen Kyiv's air defence capabilities as the war with Russia continues.

Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the agreement would allow Ukraine to produce one of the world's most advanced air defence interceptors instead of relying solely on foreign deliveries.

"We're going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That's pretty cool," Trump said. He described the Patriot system as a defensive weapon and said he preferred supplying defensive capabilities over offensive weapons.

The announcement marks one of the strongest public commitments by Trump toward Ukraine since returning to office and represents a notable shift from his previous criticism of the Ukrainian leadership.

Ukraine Seeks Greater Air Defence Capabilities

Ukraine has repeatedly urged its Western allies to provide more Patriot missile systems and interceptor missiles to defend cities and critical infrastructure from Russian missile and drone attacks.

The Patriot air defence system is currently the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting many types of ballistic missiles, making it a key part of the country's defence strategy.

While Trump did not provide details about the production timeline, he indicated that Ukraine could begin manufacturing the interceptors relatively quickly with assistance from American defence companies.

He also acknowledged that the United States has a limited number of Patriot interceptors available, saying Washington must also maintain sufficient stockpiles for its own national defence.

Production May Take Place in Europe

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the interceptor missiles are expected to be manufactured in Germany or another European country rather than inside Ukraine. Officials believe this approach would reduce the risk of production facilities becoming targets for Russian missile strikes.

The Patriot interceptor missiles are manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while the Patriot air defence system was originally developed by Raytheon. Both companies cooperate with several European defence manufacturers on missile production.

Meeting Reflects Improved US-Ukraine Relations

The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy reflected a noticeably warmer relationship than in previous years. Trump said the two leaders now share a "very good" relationship and expressed hope that both Ukraine and Russia want to end the conflict.

Trump also confirmed that he planned to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the NATO summit as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.

Zelenskyy welcomed continued American engagement and expressed confidence that the United States would continue working toward achieving a just and lasting peace.

NATO Support Draws Russian Criticism

Russia criticized NATO's latest military support decisions following the summit, warning that additional military assistance to Ukraine could have serious consequences.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued launching missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including repeated strikes on Kyiv in recent days. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that shortages of Patriot interceptor missiles have made defending against ballistic missile attacks increasingly difficult.

Military analysts say allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors would strengthen the country's long-term defence capabilities, although domestic production is unlikely to provide immediate relief during the ongoing conflict.