Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with Raytheon representatives in Kyiv to discuss co-production of Patriot air defense systems, following a shift in US tone. This comes as Ukraine intensifies drone attacks inside Russia, targeting logistical hubs and an oil facility.
NATO members agreed a €140 billion military aid package for Ukraine at their Ankara summit. US President Trump announced a license for Ukraine to produce Patriot air defense missiles, a move experts call historic but years from production. NATO membership discussions were notably absent.
At a NATO summit in Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a significant win for Kyiv. Trump also struck a positive tone with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, expressing optimism for a peace deal. The summit saw European allies increasing defense spending, though Trump initially expressed dissatisfaction with some partners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeal to the United States to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense missiles under license, following a major Russian aerial attack on Kyiv that killed 13 and injured over 90. Ukraine aims to establish a domestic industrial base to reduce dependence on foreign deliveries and ensure long-term security.
President Zelensky has given Ukrainian officials one week to finalize preparations for a contract on Patriot air defense systems, warning of personnel changes if the deadline is missed.
Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya suggested a drone incident in Romania was timed to coincide with Zelensky's appeal to Donald Trump for Patriot missile defense systems, implying a connection. Russia also suspects a Ukrainian drone was involved.
Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz says Poland has received no signals about delays in US Patriot air defense system deliveries, though other weapons supplies may face delays. The US reportedly warned allies including Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia about missile system delays due to depleted weapons stocks amid the war in Iran.
