In an interview with the American publication Bloomberg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US supplies Ukraine with only 12 missiles for Patriot air defense systems per month — about four times fewer than under the administration of Joe Biden. According to him, some of the weapons already paid for by Kyiv have still not been approved by Washington, and he emphasized that "this is not a technical issue." Patriot missiles remain the main means of countering Russian ballistic missiles, which inflict the greatest damage on the infrastructure of Ukrainian cities.
From Free Aid to Purchase: How Conditions Have Changed
Under Biden, the rate of Patriot missile deliveries was about four times higher, and the systems were transferred free of charge as military aid. Under the administration of Donald Trump, Ukraine acquires them independently, including through the PURL program, in which allies pay for American weapons for Kyiv. It is through this model, according to Zelenskyy, that Kyiv has already paid for some of the deliveries, but only a portion has been approved, while the remaining missiles are delayed.
The Diesel "Deal"
Zelenskyy reported that he offered Washington a specific agreement: Ukraine refrains from strikes on Russian diesel fuel facilities, and in response, the US ensures the supply of Patriot missiles to protect Ukrainian objects. According to the president, the American side, conversely, "simply wants us to stop hitting diesel fuel," and in the event of strikes, "we will be cut off from something." Thus, in his assessment, the issue of supplies is tied to conditions that Kyiv considers unacceptable.
Shortage and European Deadlock
According to CNN, Ukraine's stocks of Patriot missiles are depleted once again, which is why the latest massive ballistic missile strike could not be fully repelled. Zelenskyy previously stated that Kyiv gathers missiles "one or two at a time" from the leaders of other countries, and only the US is capable of providing large-scale assistance. European partners, according to him, are not helping: Greece and Spain refused to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, even though some of them are expiring.
What's Next: Licenses and Local Production
Against the backdrop of the deficit, an alternative scenario is being discussed. As RBC reported, Donald Trump permitted the transfer to Ukraine of a license to produce "less advanced" Patriot missiles. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, however, noted that even establishing local production of anti-aircraft missiles will not lead to an immediate increase in Patriot supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. American media, citing sources, reported that contracts for the supply of other military aid to Kyiv are stretched until the end of 2029, which, according to experts, makes the prospects of Ukraine's air defense on the eve of winter extremely limited.
