Trump explained why he has doubts about allowing Ukraine to produce Patriot air defence missiles
The USA President Donald Trump said the United States must be "very careful" about allowing Ukraine to manufacture interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, stressing that no final decision has been made on granting production licenses.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump said Ukraine has requested permission to produce Patriot interceptor missiles and has also expressed interest in Tomahawk missiles. He emphasized that the United States possesses "the greatest weaponry in the world" and must exercise caution when sharing such advanced military technology.
Trump said discussions on Patriot production are ongoing but acknowledged the sensitivity of transferring the technology. "We have not agreed to that. We're talking about it. But it's a hard thing to give away that kind of technology. And I don't think this would ever happen," he said.
The president also argued that countries granted licenses to produce U.S. weapons could one day become adversaries. "These people that you give that technology, they can someday turn on you," Trump said, adding that history shows such scenarios are possible and that Washington therefore has to be "very careful" when considering technology transfers.
Ukraine uncovers Russian propaganda campaign linked to crisis in Spanish Ceuta
Ukraine has identified what it describes as an intensive Russian disinformation campaign across Europe that exploits the migration situation in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta to fuel instability, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
According to Sybiha, Ukrainian analysts uncovered a pro-Russian media network led by RT and Pravda that has published thousands of articles about the situation in Ceuta. He said more than 1,500 related publications had been identified, including around 300 by the Spanish-language edition of Pravda.
Sybiha argued that Russia has long used migration and other politically sensitive issues to spread fear and destabilize European countries through coordinated information campaigns. He urged European partners to fully ban Russian propaganda outlets, saying the issue is not the migration situation itself but Moscow's efforts to exploit it for its own agenda.
"The only way to protect the public from this interference is to cut it off," Sybiha said.
Background
Spain's Interior Ministry says that since the start of the migration crisis, more than 50,000 people have illegally entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, while local authorities estimate the actual number is even higher.
The crisis has prompted calls from the governments of Italy and Czechia to suspend Spain's participation in the Schengen Area.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would increase its support for Spain in response to the situation in Ceuta, where tens of thousands of migrants have crossed illegally from Morocco.
Zelensky and Vance discussed Ukraine's air defense needs
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, he held a "productive" phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on July 31; the conversation focused on Ukraine's urgent air defense needs.
Zelensky said strengthening Ukraine's air defenses remains Kyiv's top priority as Russia continues its missile campaign, with particular emphasis on securing additional Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against ballistic attacks. Ukraine continues to face a critical shortage of ammunition for its U.S.-made Patriot systems, which remain its most effective defense against Russian ballistic missiles.
The leaders also discussed the broader impact of Russia's war on global markets and agreed to keep their teams in close contact to continue work on the issues raised during the conversation. Zelensky thanked the United States for its continued support of Ukraine and its people.
The call followed Zelensky's July 28 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, which he described to Vance as "positive and productive." The talks included discussions on licensing the production of Patriot interceptor missiles and renewed diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine.