Trump backs Ukrainian long-range strikes, grants Patriot missile production license at NATO summit
At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump announced the US will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air-defense missiles, a long-sought capability, while also voicing support for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia.
A shift in tone
President Trump heaped praise on Ukraine's president and war effort during their meeting on Wednesday, a notable change from his earlier criticism. Speaking to reporters before the bilateral talks on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said Volodymyr Zelensky had "done an amazing job" and been "very effective" because he had US equipment. The encounter was described as almost chummy, with both leaders joking at times.
He's done an amazing job. Look, he's been very effective, and he's had the best equipment because he's had our equipment.
Trump also acknowledged the difficult personalities involved, calling both Vladimir Putin and Zelensky "difficult characters" while insisting both sides want a deal to end the war.
The Patriot license
Trump said the United States will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missiles, the interceptors used to knock Russian missiles and drones out of the sky. The move addresses one of Kyiv's most persistent requests, as Patriot systems have been in short supply for years and are critical for defending cities and infrastructure against ballistic missile barrages.
We're going to give a license to you to make Patriot missiles. That's pretty cool. This way, you can't complain that we're not giving them enough. I said, 'Make them yourself.'
Trump noted that the US needs its own Patriots but that a factory could be set up quickly in Ukraine. The timeline and location remain unclear. Zelensky had repeated earlier at the summit that Ukraine urgently needs more interceptors, warning that every shortage gives Moscow room to terrorize civilian targets.
Long-range strikes endorsement
In his strongest praise yet for Ukraine's battlefield tactics, Trump said he supported Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory. He described the escalation as something that could help end the war. The comments came as Ukrainian offensives against Russian military logistics and oil infrastructure have caused fuel shortages, while Moscow's ground advances have stalled.
NATO summit context
The announcement took place on the second day of the NATO summit in Ankara, which focused on reinforcing allied commitment to Ukraine. Zelensky addressed the NATO Defense Industry Forum, and a new wave of Kremlin attacks increased pressure on allies to accelerate air-defense deliveries. Zelensky also said he planned to discuss a drone deal with Trump and thanked him for the invitation, expressing confidence that Trump would do everything possible to stop the war.
I am sure that you will do everything possible to stop this war.
Iran tensions
During the same press interaction, Trump addressed overnight US strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets, including air-defense systems, command networks, and small boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran retaliated with attacks on American bases in the region. Trump threatened further action, saying the ceasefire with Iran appeared over and that the US would "hit them very hard tonight."
