US excludes Patriot missiles from new Ukraine aid package

The Trump administration has committed nearly all of the $400 million in military aid for Ukraine approved by Congress in late 2025, but the new package excludes Patriot missile systems despite Kyiv's repeated requests, according to Reuters. The exclusion comes as combat in Ukraine and the US war in Iran have significantly depleted global stocks of these air defense systems. Initial deliveries began in September, including offensive weapons, equipment, and spare parts for armored vehicles, with remaining aid to be phased in through October 2029. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Trump promised him a license to produce Patriot missiles after their UN General Assembly meeting. The Kremlin responded cautiously, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov noting Zelensky "said a lot" and that Moscow is closely monitoring weapons supplies and license issuances.