Trump grants Ukraine Patriot missile license, reassures NATO allies at Ankara summit

Patriot missile license for Ukraine

Trump announced that the United States will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense missiles. The systems are critical for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles that have been striking Ukrainian territory. "We are going to give you a license to manufacture Patriots," Trump said during a press conference alongside Volodymyr Zelensky. He added that the US had not yet informed the company involved, but that "it will work out."

We are going to give you a license to manufacture Patriots.

Reassurance on US commitment to NATO

Amid lingering concerns among European allies about Washington's long-term posture, Trump told the NATO gathering that the United States intends to remain in the alliance. An anonymous source who attended the meeting quoted Trump as saying, "We want to stay with you in NATO." The statement came during a plenary session in Ankara.

We want to stay with you in NATO.

A diplomatic gaffe

During the same press conference, Trump made an unusual verbal slip. While fielding a question about the Patriot missile loan to Ukraine, he referred to the "Islamic Republic of Japan." The error drew attention but did not overshadow the substantive announcements.

Warm words after the summit

Trump described the NATO summit as a "very good meeting" with "a lot of love in the room" and "a lot of unity." The remarks were made at the start of his bilateral meeting with Zelensky, capping a day of diplomacy in the Turkish capital.

It was a very good meeting, there was a lot of love in the room, a lot of unity.