Ukraine continues active negotiations with Western partners to strengthen its air defense system. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv expects additional decisions from the United States and European countries. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing a statement by the head of state on Telegram.
According to Zelenskyy, he was informed about the progress of communication with international partners by Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President's Office. The country's leader emphasized that new formats of cooperation between Washington and Brussels are currently being developed.
"There are things we can do additionally in cooperation at the level between the United States and European countries. It is important that Ukrainian diplomats fully ensure the necessary communication between the militaries of the respective states," Zelenskyy stated.
Ammunition Shortage and Delivery Delays
The President called ensuring Ukraine with air defense systems the "top priority of international work." However, the situation on the front remains tense. Earlier, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ignat, reported a critical shortage of missiles for key systems — Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T. According to his data, ammunition stocks in some units are practically exhausted.
Zelenskyy also acknowledged that, despite the existence of a political agreement to purchase additional Patriot systems, the implementation of the project is being delayed. The cause of the delays has been financial, legal, and technical difficulties. A particular shortage of PAC-3 interceptor missiles arose after the escalation in the Middle East began, which led to a significant reduction in delivery volumes.
Action Plan: From Licenses to Financing
Despite the difficulties, international support continues. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte assured that the US regularly supplies Ukraine with necessary ammunition, and allies are financing the PURL program (Program for Ukraine’s Resilient Logistics), aimed at strengthening logistics infrastructure.
Furthermore, Kyev is negotiating with Washington to obtain a license for the production of Patriot systems directly in Ukraine or jointly with NATO partners. This could become a key step towards reducing dependence on external supplies and accelerating the replenishment of stocks.
Ukraine continues to insist that protecting its sky is not just a security issue, but a condition for the survival of the state. And while diplomats and military personnel work on new mechanisms of cooperation, every new missile and every new complex is of decisive importance.