The Donald Trump administration on Friday approved the sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the weapons may not arrive for several years,
raising concerns over Kyiv’s immediate air defence needs amid its ongoing war with Russia.
The US State Department announced the approval, saying the proposed deal would strengthen Ukraine’s ability to counter present and future threats. The sale will now go to Congress for review.
The announcement comes after repeated warnings from Ukrainian officials that their stocks of Patriot missiles were running low, leaving the country increasingly concerned about its ability to intercept Russian missile and drone attacks.
However, the State Department did not specify a delivery timeline.
Zelenskyy Seeks Immediate Supply Of Missiles
Reacting to the announcement, Zelenskyy said deliveries could begin only after several years.
“Deliveries may begin ONLY IN A FEW YEARS,” he wrote in a post on X on Friday.
The Ukrainian President urged Washington to find a way to meet Kyiv’s immediate requirements rather than rely solely on future deliveries.
“We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors,” he said, referring to the missiles used by the Patriot air defence system.
Zelenskyy also proposed that the US and European allies could transfer some of their existing stocks to Ukraine now, with the supplies replenished once the newly approved purchase is delivered.
Allies To Fund Proposed Sale
Patriot systems are among Ukraine’s key defences against Russian aerial attacks, particularly ballistic missiles and other incoming threats.
The State Department said the proposed sale would advance US foreign policy and national security interests by strengthening the security of a partner that contributes to stability in Europe.
It also clarified that the purchase would be financed through contributions from Ukraine’s allies and would not involve US government funding.
The announcement comes amid recent strains in Washington-Kyiv relations. Tensions increased after the US reached a diesel fuel agreement with Russia, while Ukraine raised concerns over restrictions on its access to satellite internet services and a pause in some intelligence-sharing arrangements.
Relations appeared to ease following Zelenskyy’s meeting with US representatives in Oslo on October 20.
(With inputs from AFP)
