Washington, 01 August (H.S.): US President Donald Trump has clarified that the United States has not granted final approval for transferring advanced Patriot missile technology or licensing its production to Ukraine, stating that such highly sensitive military technology is unlikely to be shared.

According to Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency, Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland. Responding to a question on whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would have to meet additional conditions before receiving a licence to manufacture Patriot missile systems, Trump stressed that the matter remained under discussion but no decision had been taken.

These weapons are extremely advanced. We have to be very careful that no one else manufactures them. We have not approved it yet. Discussions are ongoing, but I do not think such technology will be provided. I do not think that will ever happen, Trump said.

The clarification comes just days after Zelensky met Trump in Washington, D.C. Earlier this week, the Ukrainian President claimed in an interview that Trump had agreed to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile systems under licence.

Trump's latest remarks, however, cast doubt on Zelensky's assertion. In an earlier interview as well, the US President had indicated that he was not fully convinced about allowing Ukraine to produce Patriot missile systems.

Trump's comments suggest that the United States remains highly cautious about transferring its advanced defence technologies and has not yet reached a final decision on the issue.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar