Donald Trump said the US would license Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, a potential boost to Kyiv's air defenses against Russian ballistic missile attacks. Defense expert Gustav Gressel calls the idea significant but questions funding, timelines and whether Ukraine would be allowed to build the advanced PAC-3 interceptors it most needs.

While domestic production could eventually provide a cheaper, more reliable supply, setting up manufacturing would take years, leaving UkrUkraineaine dependent on foreign deliveries in the near term. Gressel says stronger Ukrainian resistance may also increase pressure on Russia to consider negotiations.