Ukraine secures political deal for missile production with US

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 10, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: zelenskyy_official | Instagram)

KYIV – Ukraine and the United States have secured a political agreement to license the domestic production of PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, a critical air defense capability designed to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that the initial shipment of these interceptors is expected to arrive within days, following high-level discussions with President Donald Trump and attendance at a NATO summit in Turkey.

Zelenskiy emphasized the urgent need for technical teams from various ministries to finalize the licensing details immediately so that manufacturing can begin on Ukrainian soil without further delay.

This development addresses a long-standing plea from Kyiv for faster access to weapons capable of defending major cities from increasingly frequent Russian missile assaults.

Separately, according to Zelenskiy, while a formal drone deal hasn’t been executed, signed documents already allow the U.S. to receive and test various Ukrainian aerial and marine drones of interest to Washington.

Looking toward long-term European security, Zelenskiy outlined plans to develop a separate, mass-producible, and more affordable anti-missile system with European allies, with a dedicated meeting scheduled soon in France.

While both leaders expressed a shared desire to end the war that began in 2022, formal peace negotiations remain stalled as the U.S. focuses on the conflict involving Iran, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled his intent to continue the war despite logistical challenges.