On August 2 (local time), according to TASS news agency, US Congressman Mike Turner said that the US and Ukraine are conducting consultations related to the possibility of transferring Patriot air defense system manufacturing technology to Kiev, a step that, if realized, could help this country significantly increase its self-produced air defense weapons capabilities.
In an interview, Mr. Mike Turner - a Republican congressman representing Ohio - said that discussions are still ongoing. According to him, the two sides are considering the possibility of expanding Ukraine's access to Patriot technology so that this country can develop production capacity as well as strengthen its defense system in the future.
I believe that there are currently negotiations to create conditions for Ukraine to have wider access to Patriot technology, serving production and strengthening defense capabilities," Mr. Turner said.
However, he emphasized that this is a very complex issue and it will take the parties a long time to reach a consensus.
I think this process is still ongoing and will be very difficult," he added.
Patriot is one of the most modern air defense systems developed by the US, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and many types of air targets.
In more than 3 years of conflict with Russia, Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western allies to increase Patriot supply to protect key cities and infrastructure from missile and drone attacks.
However, the official stance of the White House is still quite cautious. Previously, on July 31, US President Donald Trump declared that it is necessary to be very careful when licensing other countries to produce weapons developed by the US.
Mr. Trump affirmed that the US has not agreed to transfer the technology to manufacture Patriot systems as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kiev, and expressed skepticism about the possibility of taking this step in the future.
Mr. Turner's new statements show that exchanges between Washington and Kiev are still being maintained. However, so far there has been no information showing that the US has made a final decision on the transfer of sensitive military technology to Ukraine.
