Trump and Zelenskyy meet: US agrees to license Patriot interceptor production in Ukraine

Published Jul 29, 10:36 AM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a deal for Ukraine to produce Patriot missile interceptors under U.S. license and to revive stalled peace talks with Russia. The meeting occurred before the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Ukraine supporter. Zelenskyy confirmed Trump agreed to grant licenses for interceptor production, addressing Ukraine's critical shortage of anti-ballistic missile systems amid intensified Russian air attacks. The leaders also discussed diplomatic efforts, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planning their first visit to Ukraine to mediate. Separately, Zelenskyy met with Lockheed Martin officials to accelerate co-production. The U.S. Senate advanced a bipartisan package of new Russian sanctions, though the Pentagon has delayed spending $400 million in authorized Ukraine aid until 2029. Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved recently as Ukraine achieved more battlefield successes.