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Zelenskyy appeals to U.S. for Patriot missiles, calls it 'biggest challenge'
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Conflict & Security

Zelenskyy appeals to U.S. for Patriot missiles, calls it 'biggest challenge'

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is increasing its ballistic missile attacks, particularly targeting Kyiv.
  • Zelenskyy highlighted a critical shortage of Patriot missile interceptors, with Ukraine having significantly fewer this year compared to previous periods.
  • He appealed to the U.S. for increased aid, emphasizing that even a small percentage of available interceptors could save lives and neutralize Russian threats.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urgently appealed to the United States for more Patriot missile interceptors, citing a dramatic increase in Russian ballistic missile attacks, especially against Kyiv. Zelenskyy stated that Russia is exploiting Ukraine's dwindling supply of these crucial defense systems.

This year, we have two and a half times fewer missile interceptors than in 2025. Russia is launching twice as many ballistic missiles monthly as before.

— V. ZelenskisHighlighting the critical shortage of missile defense systems and the escalating Russian attacks.

"This year, we have two and a half times fewer missile interceptors than in 2025," Zelenskyy said, according to Ukrainska Pravda. He noted that Russia is launching twice as many ballistic missiles monthly as before. The president described his daily efforts to secure these interceptors, engaging in constant negotiations with allies. "I have a few months and a million phone calls. I am trying to exchange something for missiles. I am doing things I cannot even talk about," he admitted, clarifying that these actions are not illegal but sensitive.

Zelenskyy emphasized the critical need for U.S. support, stating, "If the U.S. sells us 5%, we will survive the winter and save people's lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all Russian ballistic missiles." He expressed frustration with the current limited supply, saying, "I have 1%."

If the U.S. sells us 5%, we will survive the winter and save people's lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all Russian ballistic missiles. I have 1%.

— V. ZelenskisEmphasizing the urgent need for U.S. military aid and the potential impact of increased interceptor supplies.

The Ukrainian president also voiced skepticism regarding a previous statement by then-U.S. President Donald Trump about allowing Ukraine to produce Patriot systems independently. Trump had reportedly suggested granting Ukraine a license for domestic production, but later expressed uncertainty. Zelenskyy described his current situation as a major challenge, one of the most significant since the war began. He confirmed direct and indirect communication with the White House and allies, requesting an increase in Patriot system aid, though he declined to reveal specifics of recent discussions with the Trump administration.

This is a big challenge for me, one of the biggest I have faced since the beginning of this war.

— V. ZelenskisDescribing the difficulty in securing vital defense equipment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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