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Zelensky Heads to Washington to Demand More Patriot Missiles from Trump

As Russia intensifies its drone and ballistic missile campaign, the Ukrainian leader seeks to secure production licenses for high-demand US air defense systems.

Foreign PolicyPublished July 28, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Zelensky walks down steps from a plane. Bright red carpet has been laid on the stairs.

Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington for high-stakes negotiations with President Trump, aiming to secure firmer commitments for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

With Moscow launching a massive wave of over 390 drones against the Russian capital and intensifying ballistic missile strikes, Zelensky is pushing for a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles on Ukrainian soil.

While Raytheon representatives have visited Kyiv to discuss a potential partnership, the transition to domestic production remains a complex legal and technical hurdle. The demand for these sophisticated PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems is at an all-time high, creating a supply strain as both Ukraine and Israel face active combat theaters.

The visit also highlights the deepening entanglement of global conflicts, with Zelensky set to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu as both leaders attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham.

Tensions remain high as Ukraine continues to target Russian logistics hubs, while Vladimir Putin continues to frame the conflict as a struggle against 'terrorist methods.' Despite calls from regional allies like Kazakhstan to freeze the conflict, the Kremlin maintains that negotiations are currently impossible given Kyiv's firm stance.

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ukrainezelenskytrumpforeign-policypatriot-missiles

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