ByREUTERS

AUGUST 5, 2026 08:14

Washington is moving forward with discussions to enable Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles that Kyiv needs to counter Russian strikes, even though President Donald Trump has raised questions about such an arrangement, according to four individuals familiar with the matter.

The talks examine a plan where Ukraine would produce certain parts for final assembly at locations across Europe, the sources noted.

Kyiv seeks additional PAC-3 missiles, the latest variant of the Patriot system and among the limited options effective against the ballistic missiles Russia has increased in its attacks on Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned on Saturday that supplies of Patriot interceptors had been exhausted, noting that only one of 27 ballistic missiles launched by Moscow that day was intercepted.

At a gathering with Zelensky in Ankara, Turkey, last month, Trump indicated the US would issue a license for Ukraine to produce PAC-3s, providing a lift for Kyiv.

Yet last week Trump appeared to shift position following what two sources described as a difficult session with Zelensky at the White House. He informed reporters that no agreement had been reached on Ukraine producing Patriot missiles and stressed the need for caution in allowing such production.

Zelensky's push for local manufacturing of interceptors for the Patriot system had been largely deferred by Washington amid ongoing conflict due to security issues highlighted by industry leaders and US defense officials, three sources said.

Washington's NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker now directs efforts to finalize an accord and visited Kyiv last month to review the topic and evaluate choices with Ukrainian officials and arms industry representatives, the four sources said.

"No directive was issued to stop the conversations," one source stated, noting that discussions persist with US defense contractors, military personnel and additional parties.

The White House declined to comment.

Options being reviewed include manufacturing Patriot parts in Ukraine and shipping them to Germany for completion, incorporating Ukraine into an existing US-European Patriot program, and permitting Kyiv to create a lower-cost PAC-3 variant, the sources said.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration matters freely.

Whitaker used his recent Kyiv trip "to examine joint opportunities on battlefield advancements, such as drones, that would aid the US warfighter," his spokesperson stated, without direct reference to the Patriot effort.

US Investigates Options for Defense Partnership with Ukraine

A senior Trump administration official noted that the US is "reviewing multiple potential routes for future defense industry collaboration with Ukraine," emphasizing that any pact must safeguard US technology.

Ukraine's embassy in Washington offered no response to a comment request.

Trump's cautious stance on a Patriot agreement, seeming to contradict his earlier backing for a production license, surprised many observers including Zelensky.

The Ukrainian leader highlighted his nation's need for self-defense in a later call with US Vice President JD Vance, who assured him that presidential commitments would be upheld, one source said.

Among the choices under review, the most practical involves producing components in Ukraine and assembling them in Germany, a US official familiar with the issue said. An earlier Patriot version is already manufactured in Germany, with plans for the advanced PAC-3 to follow there.

Separately, the sources indicated Ukraine might join Lockheed Martin Corp's new affordable Patriot interceptor, the PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE) missile, unveiled last month.

Kyiv Requires Immediate Missile Supplies Even as Production Deals Are Pursued

Even with a manufacturing agreement, Ukraine would not receive new missiles for at least a year. It must secure other missiles for current needs and is pressing allies to provide some of their stocks.

Ukraine's former ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, stated last week that Kyiv is also considering long-term PAC-3 purchases and exchanges with other nations for quicker delivery. She added that Lockheed Martin is fully involved and plans to send a team to Ukraine shortly.

Lockheed Martin did not respond to a comment request.

US officials note that licensing US weapons production in Europe has been actively considered since Russia's 2022 invasion revealed shortfalls in European stockpiles, with some agreements already completed.

Officials warned that establishing new component facilities is complex, with output typically beginning three to seven years after a licensing pact is signed.

Worldwide supplies of advanced missiles have decreased since the Iran conflict, with Patriots intended for Ukraine redirected to the US military and Gulf allies. Ukraine anticipates that a production deal would help restore its stocks gradually.