Trump gives final approval for Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles, Zelenskyy says
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine will receive licenses to produce missiles for Patriot air defense systems. Donald Trump has made a final decision on the matter, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters.
The decision has already been made
According to Zelenskyy, the issue of the licenses was discussed during his latest meeting with the US president. The Ukrainian leader said the two sides had reached specific agreements.
"Trump emphasized this during his latest meeting with me. There are specific agreements and progress," the president said.
Zelenskyy also told reporters that the US leader had confirmed his final decision to grant Ukraine the relevant licenses.
"There are specific agreements. During his latest meeting with me, Trump stressed: yes, I have made the final decision, Ukraine will receive licenses to produce Patriot missiles," Zelenskyy said.
What is known about the timeline
Zelenskyy did not provide a specific timeline for the transfer of the licenses. Earlier, on September 23, US State Department representative Ian Bateson said that Washington had not yet made a final decision on the matter and that negotiations were continuing.
On September 25, Zelenskyy said that a final agreement had been reached with the US side. The official website of the president of Ukraine had also previously confirmed that the Ukrainian and US teams were working to launch the production of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems in Ukraine.
Ukraine is also receiving additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems through a special mechanism under which European NATO member states are involved in their supply.
