Trump grants Ukraine license to produce Patriot missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the U.S. has granted Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air-defense missiles, fulfilling a long-standing request, though Washington has not yet confirmed the decision. Zelenskyy stated that President Donald Trump confirmed the final decision during their last meeting. The timeline for production remains unclear, and the New York Times reports licensed manufacturing may only impact Ukraine's difficult situation in a few years. Allied countries have provided Ukraine one-third fewer air-defense missiles in 2026 compared to 2025, while Russia has escalated ballistic missile attacks. Ukraine received a small number of finished Patriots in August, with Zelenskyy previously saying the country needs 5 percent of U.S. stockpiles for winter and 10 percent to intercept all Russian ballistic missiles.