Zelensky seeks Patriot missile production licences in ‘good meeting’ with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he secured US President Donald Trump’s backing to pursue licences for domestic production of Patriot air defence interceptors during what he described as a “good meeting” at the White House on Tuesday.

The hour-long talks came as Russia and Ukraine intensified long-range attacks and US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire remained stalled. Speaking to Fox News after the meeting, Zelensky said Trump had agreed to allow Ukraine to seek Patriot production licences, adding that he also met executives from major US defence companies to discuss joint manufacturing.

“Today we had a good meeting with President Trump. He accepted that he will give us Patriot licences… I hope that we will do co-production,” Zelensky said.

Trump later posted on social media that the meeting had gone “very well” and that “many things were discussed.”

Kyiv is pushing to strengthen its air defences as Russia escalates ballistic missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian officials said securing additional Patriot missiles and reviving diplomatic efforts were the country’s top priorities. According to the United Nations, last month was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022.

Since returning to office, Trump has halted direct US weapons shipments to Ukraine but has allowed European allies to purchase American arms for Kyiv. Washington continues to provide intelligence support and access to the Starlink satellite network.

Zelensky also attended a memorial for late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, before addressing US senators ahead of a procedural vote on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. The legislation, championed by Graham before his death, advanced toward final passage despite some Democratic concerns over provisions related to tariffs.

Meanwhile, Zelensky argued that Russia was losing momentum on the battlefield due to mounting casualties.

“Putin is losing 30,000 soldiers per month… the initiative is no longer in his hands,” he said.

His remarks came as Ukraine launched a fresh wave of drone strikes inside Russia, while Moscow responded with more than 100 drones targeting Ukraine overnight and continued attacks on the Black Sea port of Odesa and vessels carrying Ukrainian grain exports.