Zelenskyy and Rutte address missile gaps, highlight Patriot progress
Photo: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference in Kyiv on June 3, 2026 (Getty Images)
Ukraine continues to experience a shortage of PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system, although deliveries from the US have not stopped. At the same time, Kyiv is working on a new solution, according to a joint press conference in Kyiv between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Rutte said that PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles remain one of the key elements of Ukraine’s defense against Russian air attacks.
He stressed that the supply of these key interceptors from the US to Ukraine continues on a daily and weekly basis.
He noted that, despite the effective performance of Ukraine’s air defense, Russian forces are still able to carry out strikes. At the same time, a significant number of missiles are intercepted thanks to Patriot systems.
According to the NATO Secretary General, allies have also confirmed their readiness to continue funding the PURL programme, through which missile supplies for Ukraine are secured.
Why Ukraine has a PAC-3 shortage
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy noted that the shortage of PAC-3 missiles for Ukraine did not appear today. According to him, partners previously supplied them in sufficient quantities, but the situation changed after the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
"We received PAC-3 missiles from partners in appropriate quantities, but then the monthly volume was reduced several times. This was not due to a lack of funding. We all worked on this, we started buying them. We found the money, we secured the funding. But still, the quantities were lower after the start of the conflict in the Middle East," the Ukrainian leader explained.
The President stressed that the reduction in supplies affected not only PAC-3 missiles but also other types of weapons. Part of the needs were covered by Ukrainian production, but PAC-3 remains irreplaceable for now.
"At that time, the decision was made to look everywhere. We concluded drone deals with various countries; there were both open and closed agreements on ballistic defense. So that partners who received something from Ukraine could provide something else that would help shoot down ballistic missiles," he added.
Ukraine wants to produce Patriot systems together with its partners
A separate area of work has become negotiations with the US on obtaining a license to produce Patriot systems.
"We spoke at the time with the previous US administration, and we are also speaking with the current administration regarding Patriot licences, so that they could be produced in Ukraine or together with NATO partners," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, producing Patriot systems in Ukraine or jointly with European allies would be an additional step toward strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and those of Europe as a whole.
"This aligns with the current course of the US President, which is for Europe to be able to provide for its own defense. We will continue to focus on this. I am grateful to all partners who are helping convey this message to America, that in Europe we can produce what will help both Europe and the US and allies. And this primarily concerns Patriot," the head of state concluded.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said there is a severe shortage of missiles for Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems. According to him, in some units, ammunition stocks are nearly exhausted, and Ukraine requires new deliveries from partners.
At the same time, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has a political agreement to purchase additional Patriot systems. However, implementation of the deal is being delayed due to financial, legal, and technical issues.
