Zelenskyy says Ukraine has reached agreement on rapid delivery of Patriot systems and missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed details of an agreement with the US and partners on the supply of new Patriot air defence systems, for which funds are now being urgently sought.

Source: Zelenskyy, answering journalists' questions at a joint press conference in Kyiv with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said the agreement was reached in 2025, but complications have emerged now that the process has moved to the implementation stage. He said this is related to the supply of new Patriot systems and newly manufactured missiles for them.

"I cannot disclose the number of systems," Zelenskyy said.

The president explained that the deal involves a complex exchange arrangement under which other countries have given Ukraine their places on the waiting list for new air defence systems.

Quote: "The waiting list for Patriot systems is measured in years. We could have received this new package [of ordered systems – EP] around 2030 at the earliest, which did not suit me... So there was an agreement with certain countries that were able to give us their place in the queue so that we could receive a Patriot system. But you can only take that place in the queue if you have paid for the contract. And we have to pay."

More details: Zelenskyy said problems had arisen with the payment because the Ukrainian government had been counting on "partner funds" that had not yet arrived. The approval of the EU aid package at the beginning of this year was complicated by Hungary's veto.

"We must do whatever it takes to pay for this contract. Otherwise all the systems and missiles will arrive in 2030," the president stressed.

Zelenskyy said this was what prompted his earlier sharp warning about officials losing their jobs over delays in the contracts for the supply of Patriot air defence systems and missiles.

Quote: "I know it's difficult, but the Foreign Ministry, the National Security and Defence Council and the Defence Ministry are obliged to do this… We must find this money. It doesn't matter where. Just find it. Because securing Patriot systems and securing a place in the queue are even more difficult."

Background:

• Switzerland ordered five Patriot systems in 2022, initially expecting them to be delivered in 2026-2028, but the timeline has been postponed by four to five years because of the war in Ukraine.
• In May, Switzerland eventually said it would be looking into purchasing air defence systems from other suppliers.

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