President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and the United States are preparing a contract for the supply of 25 Patriot air defense systems.
The Head of State shared this during a conversation with journalists.
“In coordination with the relevant U.S. agencies, we have held discussions with defense companies regarding air defense systems and are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. I believe this is a very good story. Not an easy one — but a long-term one,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that there is already a waiting line for the production of Patriot systems among countries that have signed corresponding contracts.
“We will be receiving these 25 systems gradually — different numbers in different years. The White House can change the order if there is political will. We understand which European countries could grant us this priority in the queue. There is more positive momentum in this matter now — we are working to secure the necessary decisions,” the President explained.
He added that every major NATO country has its own Patriot systems, and there are also systems owned by the United States.
“This means that if everyone works together and there is goodwill, the White House could help us obtain some of those U.S. systems currently stationed in European countries,” the Head of State emphasized.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine hopes that the purchase of Patriot systems will be financed primarily through frozen Russian assets, as well as bilateral security agreements.
“For our systems — for the number I’ve mentioned — we need the necessary funds. For us, it’s clear that the main source of this money should be the funds from the use of frozen Russian assets. In other words, the financial basis for this agreement has been developed. Of course, we also need to work on additional financial sources. We currently have 28 bilateral security agreements with other countries. Finding the funds and making prepayments is the task — and within these agreements, it’s realistic,” Zelenskyy noted.
He stressed that the request for 25 Patriot systems came from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
