We are ready to buy: Zelenskyy orders effort to secure US approval for Patriots for Ukraine
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed efforts to secure US approval for the purchase of Patriot missile defense systems for Ukraine, according to his evening address.
He explained that during a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, he received a report from Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov.
"The main issue today is air defense. Supplying Ukraine with air defense systems, supplying missiles for air defense, our agreements with our partners, contracts, and our readiness to produce air defense systems in Ukraine, along with negotiations on licenses. There were reports from the military and government officials," Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that he had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work on obtaining the necessary approval from the United States.
"Approval regarding Patriot for Ukraine. We are ready to purchase the required number of Patriot systems for our country. It is not about charity. We have proposed concrete deal options to protect our people. I have instructed diplomats to intensify efforts regarding the response on the Patriot systems,” Zelenskyy stated.
Patriot systems for Ukraine
Patriot missile defense systems are critically important for Ukraine, as they are capable of intercepting and destroying Russian ballistic missiles. To date, the country heavily relies on US support for air defense systems that can counter such threats.
As reported earlier in April by Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, only the American-made Patriots can effectively intercept ballistic missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is prepared to purchase air defense systems and weaponry from the US, totaling between $30 and $50 billion. This includes acquiring ten Patriot missile systems or obtaining licenses to manufacture them in Ukraine.
According to the President, up to $15 billion has been allocated for this purpose, and the purchased systems are intended to protect major cities with the highest populations.
However, former US President Donald Trump has been hesitant to approve the transfer of Patriot systems to Ukraine. Recently, he responded harshly to Zelenskyy's statement on Patriot.
"Oh, I don’t know. He’s always looking to purchase missiles, you know. He’s against... Listen, when you start a war, you know that you can win the war, right? You don’t start a war against somebody that’s 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles," Trump said.
In this way, Trump actually said that it was Ukraine that started the war.
