ANKARA — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday at a NATO summit that the United States will grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense missile systems, a move aimed at enhancing Kyiv’s capabilities amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The decision marks a significant shift, as the U.S. had previously been reluctant to allow foreign production of the advanced defense technology.
The announcement came during a gathering of NATO leaders focused on alliance unity, though the summit opened with strained relations. Trump criticized several European countries for their defense spending and for resisting his demands over issues such as Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory that the U.S. president sought to acquire. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded sharply, affirming her nation’s commitment to defend all NATO territories.
Trump also expressed frustration with some European nations’ refusal to engage in the U.S.-led campaign against Iran, specifically singling out Spain as a disappointing partner. Despite these tensions, the tone evolved over the course of the summit, culminating in a more positive assessment of alliance cohesion.
During a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump praised the Ukrainian leader’s efforts and expressed optimism about prospects for resolving the war. Trump highlighted the decision to authorize Ukraine to produce Patriot systems domestically, stating, “We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it. I think they can produce them pretty quickly.” Patriots are costly and complex to manufacture, and Ukraine has requested both the systems themselves and the ability to produce them for several years.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the U.S. military strikes on Iran following Tehran’s targeting of merchant vessels and reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to collective defense. Despite Trump’s skepticism about ongoing negotiations with Iran, talks were allowed to continue.
The summit showcased increased defense spending by NATO members, a key demand from the Trump administration as the U.S. scales back its military presence in Europe. Some member states, including Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Denmark, have boosted their budgets, while others like Slovenia and Spain have fallen short of the alliance’s targets. The Trump administration aims for a “leaner” NATO, with European members assuming greater responsibility for their security and conventional arms support for Ukraine, while the U.S. maintains nuclear deterrence.
In a declaration following the meeting, NATO leaders committed $80 billion to support Ukraine’s defense needs through this year and next, reinforcing concerns over Russia’s enduring threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s appeal to join NATO, emphasizing the strength and adaptability of his armed forces despite strong Russian opposition.
As the summit concluded, the U.S. continued its six-month review of troop deployments in Europe, leaving uncertainties about the future scale of American forces on the continent. The approval for Ukraine to produce Patriots reflects a critical development in NATO’s support for Kyiv and signals a deeper commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities in the conflict with Russia.