During the NATO summit on July 9, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a significant policy shift by endorsing expanded U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including granting Kyiv a license to produce Patriot missile systems domestically. Trump made the remarks on the sidelines of the summit, signaling a departure from his previously cautious stance toward the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“We’re going to give a license to you to make Patriot missiles,” Trump said, adding that this move would address Ukrainian complaints about receiving insufficient military aid. The ability to manufacture such advanced air defense systems within Ukraine could strengthen its defenses in the longer term, although setting up production facilities would likely take time and make them vulnerable to Russian attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Trump twice in recent weeks, welcomed the announcement, emphasizing Ukraine’s desire and capability to effectively utilize the additional military support. “We understand what to do. It’s our estimation, what to do, how to win,” Zelensky said, demonstrating a measured confidence during his meeting with Trump ahead of the summit.
The request from Kyiv for increased numbers of Patriot missiles and interceptors has been a consistent theme, as Ukraine has expressed concern that shortages allow Russian forces greater freedom to target civilian infrastructure. Ukraine’s leadership has argued that Western allies’ reluctance to transfer these systems has emboldened Moscow to intensify attacks on residential buildings and energy facilities.
The shift in U.S. policy comes amid continuing Russian air assaults, including a major airstrike on Kyiv on Monday, just before the NATO summit began, which resulted in at least 19 deaths. Trump also commended Ukraine’s recent drone strikes targeting oil refineries and other deep Russian sites, describing the offensive actions as escalatory but potentially conducive to ending the war, aligning with views commonly held by Kyiv and European allies.
European officials cautiously welcomed the new tone. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna remarked on the importance of the U.S. taking Ukraine’s prospects seriously and suggested that the conflict might be approaching a turning point, although uncertainty remains.
Trump’s engagement with both Ukrainian President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn attention. He spoke by phone with each leader on Saturday, in a lengthy and reportedly businesslike call with Putin. However, the U.S. official noted Trump plans to continue talks with Putin following the summit. Despite this, Trump’s public support for Ukraine during the summit indicated a clear shift away from his previous attempts to maintain a balance between Moscow and Kyiv.
In a separate session on Wednesday, Zelensky met with a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, projecting optimism about Ukraine’s military progress. According to an attendee, Ukraine estimates that Russia is suffering heavy losses—approximately 30,000 troops per month—without significant territorial gains. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), who participated in the meeting, stressed the need to intensify pressure on Russia to compel negotiations, reflecting a broader Western strategy aimed at leveraging battlefield momentum toward a diplomatic resolution.