U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly changed his attitude toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to former Australian Labor MP Michael Danby.
This shift suggests a potential pivot in U.S. military support for Kyiv, specifically regarding the domestic manufacture of advanced weaponry to sustain long-term defense operations.
Speaking during an interview on Sky News Australia, Danby said that Trump has "changed his attitude" to Zelensky. He said that the U.S. president has given Ukrainians the right to license the production of Patriot defense missiles [1].
Danby linked this change in diplomatic and military posture to recent Ukrainian operations in the Black Sea. He said that Ukraine has struck the first 20 vessels [2] of Russia’s shadow fleet—a move that may have influenced the U.S. administration's current approach.
The licensing of Patriot missiles would represent a significant escalation in the technical capabilities transferred to Ukraine. Traditionally, these systems are provided as finished units by the U.S., and local production rights would allow Ukraine to reduce its reliance on foreign supply chains for critical interceptors.
Danby's comments highlight a transition in the relationship between the two leaders. He said there is "no wonder" the shift occurred given the strategic impact of the strikes on the Russian fleet [1].
While the U.S. White House has not issued a formal statement confirming the licensing agreement, the reported move aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Ukraine's industrial defense base. The focus on the shadow fleet targets Russia's ability to export oil, and fund its military efforts, creating a strategic lever that Danby said Trump has recognized [2].
“Donald Trump has ‘changed his attitude’ to Volodymyr Zelensky.”
If confirmed, granting Ukraine the right to license Patriot missile production marks a transition from providing emergency aid to establishing a permanent domestic defense industry. This shift, coupled with the strategic targeting of Russia's shadow fleet, indicates a move toward a more sustainable, long-term attrition strategy that reduces Kyiv's vulnerability to fluctuations in U.S. political will.
