Trump Backtracks From Promise to Let Ukraine Build Patriot Missiles

Donald Trump has backtracked on earlier remarks that the U.S. would license Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles. At a NATO summit, he said he would give Ukraine permission to “make Patriots,” implying faster access to air-defense interceptors. However, follow-up signals indicated the U.S. may not permit domestic production in Ukraine, citing control of advanced technology, security concerns, and supply constraints. Ukraine’s leadership had been seeking the licence as Russia’s ballistic-missile attacks continue, with shortages of interceptor rounds affecting how many incoming missiles can be shot down.