Zelenskyy says Ukraine to receive US PAC-3 missiles, produce Patriots

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday that Kyiv will receive a package of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor missiles from Washington within days, adding that he had reached separate agreements with European partners following the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye. Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the United States agreed to conduct tests of maritime and aerial drones, with cooperation agreements to be signed following the trials. "Of course, the Drone Deal between Ukraine and US has not been signed yet. There are some documents that have already been signed so that America can receive various types (drones) from Ukraine for testing," Interfax-Ukraine reported, citing the Ukrainian leader.

Domestic production plans

Zelenskyy said he and US President Donald Trump reached a political agreement on producing Patriot systems in Ukraine, with technical teams from both sides set to begin work on licensing. "President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that today only 2-3 countries in the world can produce Patriots because the others are not technologically ready. Ukraine is recognized by America as a country that is ready to do this," he said, according to the agency.

Security guarantees

Trump told reporters that Washington was prepared to give Kyiv a license to manufacture the missiles, adding: "This way you can't complain that we're not giving them enough." He also said he would be willing to "close the skies" above Ukraine as part of security guarantees for Kyiv if it is "necessary," noting that both leaders seek to end the war.

Peace prospects

Asked whether his meeting with Trump had changed his outlook on prospects for peace, Zelenskyy said Ukraine now has a "window of opportunity," arguing that the country has grown stronger militarily. "Putin, whether he knows it or not, but he definitely receives information and understands that he has no advantage now," he said. "There is ballistics, there are really such absolutely tragic and terrible strikes on the civilian population of our country, but this is the only advantage he has left."