Ukraine gets US approval to build Patriot missiles at home

President Trump has reportedly given Ukraine the green light to produce Patriot interceptor missiles domestically, a decision Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday after a UN summit meeting in New York. The move could significantly boost Ukraine's defensive capabilities. The announcement follows months of intense lobbying by Zelensky for a production license, as Ukraine's Patriot missile stockpiles are nearly depleted amid regular Russian attacks on cities like Kyiv. However, it remains unclear whether Washington has formally issued the license or if Trump only signaled general approval. Trump had previously announced in July that the US would grant Ukraine the right to manufacture Patriots, but later expressed more cautious statements, likely due to his pursuit of a peace deal with Russia. Recent White House frustration with Putin's unwillingness to compromise may have influenced this decision.