Yesterday at 21:46
Ukraine needs a winter package of 300 Patriot interceptor missiles to strengthen its air defense against Russian ballistic missile attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting of the newly established Anti-Ballistic Coalition in France, UATV English reports.
According to Zelenskyy, one of the most important priorities for Ukraine and its partners is ensuring a steady supply of air defense missiles ahead of the winter.
“One of the main ways to strengthen our common position should be a winter package of air defense missiles,” he said.
“We have calculated that this package should include 100 Patriot missiles per month — 300 missiles for the winter.”
The Ukrainian president called on partners to consider the proposal, arguing that stronger air defenses would reduce Russia’s ability to prolong the war through another winter campaign.
“If we have sufficient protection for the winter, Russia will have far fewer reasons to drag the war into the winter,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that the newly launched FREYJA anti-ballistic missile project is designed to deliver results over the next 12 months but stressed that Ukraine also needs immediate protection.
“We must protect lives here and now,” Zelenskyy said.
He described Patriot systems as the most effective defense against Russian ballistic missiles while also highlighting the importance of European-made SAMP/T, IRIS-T, and NASAMS air defense systems.
Zelenskyy also revealed that he and U.S. President Donald Trump had reached an agreement on licensing the production of Patriot systems, with both sides now working to implement what he described as a historic political decision.
“We have reached an important agreement with President Trump on licenses for the production of Patriot systems. Our teams are now working on implementing this truly historic political agreement,” he said.
The president emphasized that Europe must diversify and accelerate its missile defense capabilities through Patriot, SAMP/T, IRIS-T, NASAMS, and the FREYJA project.
“I am convinced that Europe is capable of providing itself with sufficient protection against any ballistic threat. Europe is also capable of making a strong contribution to global security,” Zelenskyy said.
Read also: Merz Pledges €70 Billion in Annual Support for Ukraine, Urges Russia to End the War
