Trump reneged on promise to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors - media
Kyiv • UNN
US President Donald Trump stated that the US did not agree to a license for Ukraine to produce Patriot systems. He expressed concern about the transfer of technologies that could be used against the US.
U.S. President Donald Trump has backed away from his promise to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, noting that the United States "did not agree to that," reports UNN citing AP.
Details
When asked about his previous promise to provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture Patriot surface-to-air missile systems to counter Russian missiles, Trump said: "We did not agree to that."
"We are discussing it. But giving away such technologies is not easy," Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Friday.
"I don't think it will ever happen, but you know, there are people who, if you give them these technologies, may one day turn against you," Trump added. "Look at the war, that has happened several times over the years, right? So we have to be very careful."
The publication notes that Trump's response contrasted with previous statements made on the sidelines of the NATO summit earlier this month, where the U.S. president said: "We will give them the right to build 'Patriots'."
Trump stated that he discussed this topic with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Washington on Tuesday. Zelenskyy also met with senators to make the case for these interceptors for Ukraine.
Recall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine received a positive decision on a license to produce Patriot after a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.