US President Donald Trump said his administration would review Ukraine’s request to produce missiles for American Patriot air defence systems.
“They would like to be able to do it, we’ll take a look at it,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in France.
Ukraine wants more interceptor missiles to strengthen air defence against Russian ballistic strikes. Officials said US stockpiles had fallen after operations in Iran. They said Washington was exploring licensing arrangements because new production would take time.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said participating countries would discuss the specific licences in detail.
“This does indeed involve the granting of comprehensive licenses by American companies to European manufacturers,” Merz told reporters.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump had called for the mobilisation of the American defence industry and more capacity to supply such equipment.
The United States already licenses some overseas production, including Patriot missile systems manufactured in Germany.
The source said Washington usually keeps tight control over such deals due to intellectual property and supply chain concerns.
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The United States has continued supplying air defence systems financed by European allies and Canada through a NATO-coordinated mechanism known as PURL.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held talks with Trump during the G7 summit. Trump indicated openness to tightening sanctions on Moscow.
