--- title: "Zelensky Holds Talks with Macron: France to Help Secure Missiles for Patriot and Strengthen Ukraine's Air Defense" description: "Following a nearly two-hour conversation between Zelensky and Macron, the two sides agreed to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems. France will help secure missiles for the Patriot and provide production licenses." date: 2026-08-22T13:50:02.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-macron-france-patriot-missiles-ukraine-air-defense tags: [ukraine-france, air-defense, patriot-missiles, zelensky-macron, defense-cooperation] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelensky Holds Talks with Macron: France to Help Secure Missiles for Patriot and Strengthen Ukraine's Air Defense ![Zelensky at a meeting on strengthening Ukraine's air defense: discussing Patriot missile supplies](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/22/zelensky-makron-franciya-rakety-patriot-pvo/zelensky-makron-franciya-rakety-patriot-pvo-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Zelensky and Macron held a nearly two-hour conversation, with Ukraine's air defense as the key topic. - France is ready to help in communication with partners to obtain missiles for the Patriot systems and to provide licenses for the production of weapons. - The sides coordinated diplomatic efforts, interaction with the American side, and the financial needs of the defense for the current and subsequent years. - Ukraine needs at least 300 missiles for the Patriot to protect civilian infrastructure ahead of the winter period. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he held a nearly two-hour phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which Ukraine's need for air defense systems was the key topic. The Ukrainian leader briefed his French counterpart on the current situation regarding the shelling of cities and thanked him for the condolences over the loss of lives. As a result of the conversation, the two sides agreed to accelerate the delivery of new defense equipment and missiles, and Paris confirmed its readiness to help strengthen Ukraine's air defense. ### Accelerating Deliveries and France's Role in the Air Defense Coalition The central element of the agreements was France's assistance in sourcing and contracting the scarce air-defense missiles for the Patriot systems. As Zelensky emphasized, Kyiv "greatly appreciates" that the French president is ready to help in communication with other partners that have the necessary missiles for the Patriots. Thus, Paris acts as a diplomatic and financial coordinator in the air defense coalition, facilitating the transfer of munitions from third countries, since France itself does not produce Patriot systems. Separately, the presidents discussed the possibilities of direct French air defense, including the transfer of interceptor missiles, as well as the provision of licenses for the joint production of weapons on Ukrainian territory. ### Diplomatic Coordination and Cooperation with the United States Beyond military-technical issues, the leaders touched on coordinating efforts on the international stage and interaction with the American side. Zelensky noted that the two sides discussed the state of diplomatic work with partners and communication with the U.S. president's team, and agreed on steps that could open additional diplomatic opportunities. The financial needs of Ukraine's defense for the current and subsequent years were also raised separately, and bilateral defense agreements requiring the earliest possible implementation were coordinated. ### Context: Missile Shortage Ahead of the Winter Period The agreements were reached against the backdrop of an urgent need to meet air defense requirements before the start of winter, when the intensity of attacks on civilian infrastructure traditionally increases. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had previously indicated that the state needs at least 300 missiles for the Patriot systems to effectively protect civilian facilities and get through the upcoming winter period. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha noted that Ukraine is literally "fighting for" air-defense missiles, and the struggle continues for every single unit of weaponry. Meanwhile, Germany is actively negotiating with European allies and the United States on helping Ukraine with missiles for the Patriot systems, preparing for consultations with U.S. officials to resolve this issue. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Macron to Help Ukraine Secure Missiles for Patriot, Says Zelensky](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-proviv-peregovori-makronom-shchodo-1787405647.html) - Подтверждает заявление Зеленского о помощи Франции в получении ракет для Patriot и ускорении поставок ПВО. - [A Way Out Found: Zelensky Says Who Will Help Ukraine Secure Missiles for Patriot](https://politics.comments.ua/news/president/vyhod-nayden-zelenskiy-rasskazal-kto-pomozhet-ukraine-dostat-rakety-dlya-patriot-814338.html) - Совпадает по сути договоренностей о роли Франции в коалиции ПВО. - [France Will Help Ukraine with Missiles for Patriot – Zelensky](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/08/22/novost/politika/franciya-pomozhet-ukraine-raketami-patriot-zelenskij) - Датирует событие 22.08.2026 и подтверждает ключевые тезисы заявления. - [Zelensky Held a Nearly Two-Hour Conversation with Macron: The Sides Agreed to Accelerate ...](https://24tv.ua/ru/peregovory-zelenskogo-i-makrona-storony-obsudili-pvo-rakety-patriot-i-proizvodstvo-oruzhija_n3128093) - Подтверждает длительность разговора, обсуждение ПВО, ракет Patriot и производства оружия. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What did Zelensky and Macron agree on during their phone call? **A:** The sides agreed to accelerate the delivery of new defense equipment and missiles, on France's assistance in communication with partners to obtain missiles for the Patriot systems, on the provision of licenses for the production of weapons, and on coordinating bilateral defense agreements. ### Q: Why is France helping with Patriot missiles if it does not produce these systems? **A:** France acts as a diplomatic and financial coordinator in the air defense coalition: Paris facilitates the transfer of scarce air-defense missiles from third-country partners, and also provides its own air defense systems and licenses for joint production. ### Q: How many Patriot missiles does Ukraine need? **A:** According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the state needs at least 300 missiles for the Patriot systems to effectively protect civilian infrastructure and get through the winter period.