US-Ukraine Talks on Patriot Missile Production License Continue — Rubio

The United States is still negotiating with Ukraine over a license to produce missiles for Patriot air defense systems.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the statement during an appearance on The Brian Kilmeade Show.

Rubio confirmed that the transfer of the relevant license to Ukraine is currently under negotiation.

According to him, even obtaining the license would not allow Ukraine to address its urgent needs quickly.

This is because building the necessary facilities and establishing production could take several years after the license is transferred.

Rubio also noted that air defense interceptor missiles have become highly sought-after weapons worldwide. They are needed not only by Ukraine but also by countries in the Middle East.

At the same time, the secretary of state stressed that the United States must ensure an adequate level of its own defense stockpiles.

Patriot Missile License Issue

Previously, on July 8, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the United States could transfer to Ukraine a license to produce missiles for Patriot air defense systems.

The statement was made during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

Later that month, Zelensky met with representatives of missile manufacturers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

However, by the end of the month, U.S. President Donald Trump stated he was “not sure” about granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot interceptor missiles.

Read more in: Plant for Later: Why Producing Patriot Missiles in Ukraine After the War Makes No Sense