US President Donald Trump announced at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, 2026, that the US will grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles. Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "We are gonna give you a licence to make Patriots," adding, "I think they can produce them very quickly once we explain it."

The Patriot missile system is highly effective against Russia's ballistic missile attacks but has lengthy production times, with only 600 missiles produced annually, according to the US Department of Defence. The US has been reluctant to part with its stockpile, having used more than half during its recent conflict with Iran, noted the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Earlier this week, the Ukraine Air Force reported a "serious shortage" of interceptor missiles, resulting in none of the 23 ballistic missiles fired by Russia on Sunday night being shot down. More than 20 people died in that attack.

Military expert Ivan Stupak, an ex-security service officer, told the BBC that while Patriot missiles are vital for Ukraine's defense, "Unfortunately, Ukraine is not able to produce such kinds of advanced munition, because it's really sophisticated, cutting-edge equipment."

Trump also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he said he frequently communicates, wants to negotiate a deal to end the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Sources