--- title: "\"We would already be making Patriots for everyone\": Zelenskyy blames bureaucracy for delays in Patriot production licenses" description: "🇺🇦 Zelenskyy blames bureaucracy for delays in Patriot licenses: \"We would already be making missiles for everyone\" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in Serbia that if licenses to produce Patriot air defense systems had been obtained 4 years ago, Ukraine would already be supplying itself and Europe. 🔹 Zelenskyy asked Biden for licenses in the first year of the war. 🔹 An agreement was reached with Trump in late July 2026, but Trump later clarified that the decision is not final. 🔹 While negotiations are ongoing, people are dying under strikes. #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #Patriot #Trump #Defense" date: 2026-08-08T15:22:03.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-blames-bureaucracy-for-delays-in-patriot-production-licenses tags: [ukraine-war, vladimir-zelensky, donald-trump, patriot-missiles, defense-industry] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "We would already be making Patriots for everyone": Zelenskyy blames bureaucracy for delays in Patriot production licenses ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference discussing delays in Patriot missile production due to bureaucracy](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/08/zelenyy-obvinil-byurokratiyu-v-zaderzhke-licenziy-na-patriot/zelenyy-obvinil-byurokratiyu-v-zaderzhke-licenziy-na-patriot-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Zelenskyy stated that bureaucracy delayed Patriot production by 4 years. - An agreement with Trump has been reached, but the US is showing caution. - Ukraine is ready to produce missiles for itself and Europe. - European partners are also delaying the transfer of technologies. During a press conference in Serbia on August 8, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced critical remarks regarding Western partners concerning the timelines for providing licenses to produce Patriot air defense systems. The head of state stated that bureaucratic red tape has become the main obstacle to creating a full production cycle in Ukraine, which could have radically changed the defense balance in the region. ### Four Lost Years According to the Ukrainian leader, the issue of transferring technologies and licenses was raised as early as the first year of the full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy noted that he personally appealed to former US President Joe Biden with this initiative, but the decision was not made at that time. Similar requests were also sent to European partners, whose equipment Ukraine began actively using in 2023–2024. "Imagine if we had received them four years ago. We would already be making Patriots for everyone. And Europe, the one that wants and would like to have Patriots, anti-ballistic systems, and missiles, would already have everything. I am absolutely sure of this," Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that Ukraine possesses the necessary potential for large-scale production. ### Agreement with Trump and Current Realities During his visit to Serbia, the President of Ukraine reported that an agreement was reached with the current US President Donald Trump in late July 2026 regarding the provision of licenses. However, Zelenskyy emphasized that this step should have been taken much earlier. He pointed out that while negotiations are ongoing and documents are being processed, people continue to die under Russian strikes. "And now we are dealing with paperwork. But what is flying is not a piece of paper, not a paper missile, but a real missile killing people," the head of state emotionally commented on the situation. He also added that the licensing issue is being delayed not only in relations with the US but also with European allies, who, according to him, have "very little production". ### Contradictory Data Despite Zelenskyy's optimistic statements about the agreement reached, the American side is demonstrating a more restrained position. In late July 2026, immediately after meeting with Zelenskyy in Washington, Donald Trump stated his readiness to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles under license. However, just a few days later, he clarified that no final decision had been made. Representatives of the US administration emphasized that they must "be very careful about transferring the secrets of this weapon." Experts note that the transfer of Patriot technology is not just a matter of political will, but a complex process requiring compliance with strict security protocols and export controls. Thus, there is a noticeable gap between the Ukrainian President's statement about an "agreement" and Washington's cautious stance. ### Consequences for Defense Security The delay in obtaining licenses has direct consequences for the defense security of Ukraine and Europe. The shortage of Patriot missiles in the market and limited production in the US and Europe make Ukraine dependent on supplies that often fail to keep up with the rate of losses. Creating its own production would allow not only to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces but also to supply Western partners, which, according to Zelenskyy, would be a strategic advantage. However, given the current situation, experts believe that even with a license, launching full-scale production will take no less than 12–18 months. This is due to the need to prepare infrastructure, train personnel, and undergo certification procedures. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Trump doubts transferring the license to produce Patriot missiles to Kyiv](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/31/07/2026/6a6bedf49a794740656dca29) - Подтверждает осторожную позицию США после заявления Трампа о готовности. - [US rules out a deal with Ukraine on Patriot missiles by winter](https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/6a70aa5c9a7947535843bdc6) - Подтверждает осторожную позицию США после заявления Трампа о готовности. - [Zelenskyy tells when Ukraine will be able to produce missiles for Patriots](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/07/15/8044248/) - Подтверждает заявление Зеленского о договоренности с Трампом. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: When did Ukraine receive the license to produce Patriots? **A:** According to Zelenskyy, an agreement was reached in late July 2026, but the final US decision has not yet been made. ### Q: Why is Zelenskyy criticizing Western partners? **A:** He believes that bureaucracy delayed the transfer of licenses by 4 years, leading to casualties. ### Q: Can Ukraine produce Patriots independently? **A:** Zelenskyy claims that Ukraine is ready for this, but licenses and technologies are necessary.