Trump says US to license Patriot defence system production in Ukraine

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Ankara: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States will allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air defence systems, a significant change in US assistance for Kyiv as it continues to protect itself from escalating Russian missile and drone strikes.

Trump made the announcement after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the verge of the NATO summit in Ankara. According to him, the licence would enable Ukraine to produce Patriot systems rather than depending entirely on imports from its partners in the West. ‘We'll let them to create Patriots. Trump expressed optimism that production could start right away, saying, We'll show them how to do it.’

The Patriot system is one of the world's most sophisticated air defence systems, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Ukraine has frequently pushed its friends to deploy more Patriot batteries and interceptor missiles as Russia ramps up long-range strikes on cities and crucial infrastructure.

While Trump did not specify where the systems or interceptors would be constructed, reports suggest that production could take place in Ukraine or another European country due to security concerns and the challenge of building advanced missile systems during warfare.

Trump also stated that he believes both Ukraine and Russia want to stop the war and that he intends to have further contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fighting, meanwhile, continues along the front lines, with Russian attacks resulting in civilian casualties and significant damage in recent days.