President Donald Trump said he did not approve granting Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles and does not believe it will happen, according to N12's Asaf Rozentzweig. The statement walks back a July 8 announcement in which Trump said the U.S. would grant such a license, and follows earlier remarks Friday to the Financial Times in which he said he was 'not sure' about the plan.
President Donald Trump has reversed his earlier position on granting Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missile systems on its territory, according to N12's Asaf Rozentzweig. Trump stated Friday evening that he 'did not agree' to such a license and that he does not think it will happen, adding that 'we must be very careful with whom we let build them.'
The statement marks a further retreat from the July 8 announcement in which Trump said the U.S. would grant the license — a move that would have significantly bolstered Ukraine's self-reliance in air defense. Earlier on Friday, Trump told the Financial Times that he was 'not sure' about letting Ukraine build the missiles, as The Zioneer reported.
The reversal comes amid ongoing diplomatic pressure on Ukraine to pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia, and follows a series of discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The status of Ukraine's air defense capabilities remains a critical issue as Russian aerial campaigns continue.
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