First results from the Trump-Zelensky meeting: US authorizes Patriot missile production in Ukraine

During a meeting at the White House, US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky reached a significant agreement that paves the way for local production of Patriot missiles. The United States will transfer the necessary licenses for these air defense systems.

In an interview with Fox News, Zelensky highlighted the transformation of his country’s military industry. He noted that around 500 companies are already engaged in developing new defense technologies, turning the conflict into a true battle of innovations.

The Ukrainian president stressed that Moscow has lost its offensive momentum, while Kyiv is expanding its ability to strike deep inside Russian territory. According to him, the growing power of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex is redefining the balance of the war, giving it a new advantage on the battlefield.

“The race now is to be faster than Putin. He relies on numbers, while we aim to save our people’s lives through technological advancement,” Zelensky said, stressing the necessity of continuous innovation.

He also claimed that Russia is suffering massive losses on the order of 30,000 soldiers per month, while Vladimir Putin continues to resist any peace or negotiation proposals. This behavior, according to the Ukrainian leader, makes any diplomatic progress impossible.

Zelensky reaffirmed Kyiv’s stance in favor of a temporary ceasefire as a first step toward negotiations, but accused the Kremlin of a complete lack of will for dialogue. He expressed confidence that without sustained pressure, Moscow will not come to the negotiating table.

During the interview, a special mention was also given to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whom Zelensky described as a steadfast ally of Ukraine. He recalled that Graham had visited the country nearly ten times since the start of the conflict, showing rare dedication and a deep understanding of the reality on the ground.