Ukraine and the United States have reached a political agreement on licenses for the production of Patriot interceptors, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday. He added that important shipments of the missiles are due to arrive within days.

The Patriot system is a US-designed air defense platform. Its PAC-3 interceptor remains among the limited Western arms able to intercept the ballistic missiles Russia has stepped up against Ukrainian population centers.

After returning from a NATO summit and discussions with US President Donald Trump in Turkey, Zelensky told reporters that talks continue with Washington on a drone agreement or joint drone manufacturing.

He described the summit as productive for Ukraine and said a package from the United States would arrive soon, along with separate accords on securing the PAC-3 interceptors.

The political decision on Patriot missile production for Ukraine has been settled, Zelensky stated. Technical teams from various ministries and the executive branch must now move quickly to obtain the licenses and begin production inside Ukraine.

Zelensky has repeatedly sought faster supplies of interceptors for Russian ballistic missiles, especially after intensified attacks on Kyiv and other cities.

No drone deal has been finalized yet, though documents have been signed allowing the US side to receive various Ukrainian drone types and other technologies for testing, including aerial and marine drones.

Discussions will continue with European partners on a separate anti-missile system. A meeting is scheduled in France soon to develop a system for ballistic targets that is more mass-produced and affordable than the Patriot.

Trump now positive about Ukraine, Zelensky says

Relations between the Ukrainian president and Trump have improved through multiple meetings since a tense Oval Office exchange last year. Zelensky reported that Trump is now positive toward Ukraine and described their latest talks as constructive.

US-mediated efforts toward a peace settlement remain stalled as Washington focuses on the conflict in Iran. Trump noted a good relationship with Zelensky and said both Moscow and Kyiv seek to end the war that started with Russia's 2022 invasion.

Putin has indicated he will continue the war despite challenges such as fuel shortages from Ukrainian drone strikes on oil facilities. Moscow insists Kyiv cede the remainder of Donetsk region still under dispute after more than four years of fighting.