During negotiations, Volodymyr Zelensky once again emphasized that Ukraine is in urgent need of additional Patriot systems and missiles to protect against Russian ballistic strikes, [reports](https://nos.nl/artikel/2622214-trump-belooft-zelensky-licentie-om-zelf-patriot-raketten-te-maken) NOS. In response, Donald Trump stated that the U.S. intends to provide Ukraine with a license for its own production of Patriot interceptor missiles. "The U.S. has Patriot missiles, but we need them primarily for ourselves. We will build a factory so that Ukraine can produce these missiles independently. This can be done quite quickly," the American president said. At the same time, Trump did not specify when the license would be issued or where the facility is planned to be located. ### Ukraine remains dependent on Patriot Patriot systems are considered one of the key means of air defense for Ukraine. However, the production of these missiles requires significant costs and time, and their quantity is limited. Trump also noted that the manufacturer of Patriot has not yet been officially notified about the plans to transfer the license. "But we have a lot of influence over companies. I think there will be no problems with this. They will surely be pleased," he said. Unlike the previous administration, during Trump's second presidential term, the United States no longer directly finances the supply of weapons to Kyiv. Now, the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine is funded by NATO allies. ### "We want to save lives" According to Trump, after a tense meeting in the Oval Office last year, his relationship with Volodymyr Zelensky has significantly improved. During the meeting, the Ukrainian leader stated that he is counting on U.S. support in achieving peace and intends to discuss a cooperation agreement in the field of drones with the American president. Trump, for his part, reiterated that both sides are interested in ending the war. "I am confident that both Putin and Zelensky want to reach an agreement. We want to save lives," said the U.S. president, adding that both leaders have "difficult personalities." ### He also commented on Iran During a conversation with journalists, Trump also commented on the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities. According to him, American forces attacked more than 80 targets, including air defense systems, command posts, and boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. After Iran's retaliatory strikes on American bases, the U.S. president threatened Tehran with new attacks. Earlier that same day, he also [declared](https://bb.lv/statja/v-mire/2026/07/08/oni-otbrosy-tramp-zaiavil-cto-soglaseniiu-s-iranom-prisel-konec) that he considers the ceasefire regime with Iran to be effectively over and called the country's leadership "scum." Donald Trump's statement about the readiness to provide Ukraine with a license for the production of Patriot missiles could be an important step towards the development of the country's own defense industry. However, the timelines for the project's implementation, its legal details, and the reaction of the American military-industrial complex remain unknown.