The key facts
- The US State Department approved the sale of 500 PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine worth $2.1 billion, but deliveries may begin only in a few years
- Zelensky proposed transferring interceptors from existing American and European stockpiles
- Kyiv has been waiting for almost a month for permission from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to transfer Patriot and NASAMS missiles
Demand to speed up deliveries
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that the United States urgently resolve the issue of supplying interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. In a social media address, he said Ukraine needs the munitions right now, whereas the implementation of new American contracts could stretch over years. This was reported by Life.ru.
Approved deal and dissatisfaction with the timeline
The reason for the appeal was the American decision to sell 500 PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems: the US State Department approved a potential deal worth $2.1 billion, however, according to the publication, deliveries may begin only in a few years. Zelensky considers such a timeline inconsistent with the current needs of Ukrainian air defense. Despite his complaints about the timing, he thanked US President Donald Trump and the State Department for approving the deal, emphasizing that Kyiv expects not only formal decisions but also an acceleration of the actual transfer of weapons.
Kyiv's proposal and approval delays
As a way out, Zelensky proposed transferring interceptors to Ukraine from existing American and European stockpiles, with the allies later able to replenish their own reserves through new production and paid contracts. Kyiv expects to receive 100 Patriot missiles per month over the coming winter; according to the Ukrainian leader, 500 interceptors would strengthen the protection of cities and energy infrastructure in the coming months. He also claims that the US and European countries have enough munitions for such deliveries.
Delays with already purchased missiles
The situation is complicated by delays in approving the transfer of already purchased missiles. Earlier, as reported by Life.ru, Zelensky said that Ukraine has been waiting for almost a month for permission from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth for the supply of interceptors for Patriot and NASAMS systems, including those already paid for by European allies, and instructed his officials to raise the issue with Washington again. According to the publication, the American side explained the distribution of weapons by the need to take into account its own requirements and obligations to other allies. According to Zelensky, Kyiv raises the issue of Patriot deliveries daily in negotiations with Washington, European states and other partners, but the agreed aid packages do not suit the Ukrainian side in terms of implementation timelines.
