Today at 17:05
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States may allow Ukraine to manufacture interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems domestically, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, UATV English reports.
According to Zelenskyy, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and advancing peace efforts were the main priorities of the meeting.
“I primarily wanted to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and issues related to peace negotiations,” the Ukrainian president said.
Trump stated that the two leaders’ relationship had improved significantly since their meeting in the Oval Office.
“Our relationship has improved significantly,” Trump said. “This country has a great future. Such wonderful land. Such wonderful resources. Such wonderful people.”
A key topic of the talks was expanding cooperation on Patriot air defense systems.
“We’ll talk about Europe manufacturing Patriots for Ukraine,” Trump said, adding that Washington may grant Ukraine the right to produce interceptor missiles for the U.S.-made air defense system.
“We might give Ukrainians the right to produce Patriots,” he said.
Zelenskyy also welcomed ongoing cooperation with the United States on a new Drone Deal.
“Glad we’re working with the U.S. on the Drone Deal,” the Ukrainian president said.
Commenting on Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, Trump described the attacks as an escalation but suggested they could contribute to ending the war.
“This is an escalation that could help end the war,” Trump said, referring to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Washington would help Ukraine develop capabilities for long-range strikes against military targets inside Russia as part of efforts to bring the war to an end.
Trump added that the United States has strategic interests in Ukraine and expressed confidence in the country’s future.
“We have interests in Ukraine. There are many minerals there, and Zelenskyy is building a great country,” the U.S. president said.
The two leaders also discussed recent progress in diplomatic efforts, with Trump saying significant advances had been made in recent weeks toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Read also: Zelenskyy, von der Leyen Discuss Ukraine’s EU Accession, Drone Deal and Winter Energy Security
