Peter Beaumont

Trump offered Zelenskyy a loosely defined commitment to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, despite not consulting the US companies that produce them and ongoing global shortages. Production challenges, high costs and lengthy timelines make near-term Ukrainian manufacturing unlikely, while experts warn of vulnerability to Russian attacks and risks of technology exposure. The meeting between the two leaders was notably warmer than past encounters, with Trump praising Zelenskyy and expressing optimism about a potential path toward ending the war and establishing a security package for Ukraine.