Zelenskyy reveals whether Ukraine is still reliant on US arms supplies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine produces most of the weapons it uses on the battlefield but remains dependent on US supplies of air defence systems.

The president explained at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin that Ukraine now covers most of its needs in weaponry for various types of operations – long-range strikes, frontline combat and air defence – through domestic production.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine lacks sufficient funding for this and is therefore counting on Germany's support in unblocking a €90bn EU loan.

"We expect Germany, as one of the leaders of the European Union, to help us quickly unblock €90bn. This will allow us to invest in our domestic production, and the volume of equipment used on the battlefield will increase," he said.

Zelenskyy added that the PURL programme, under which NATO countries purchase US weapons for Ukraine, is focused on supplying air defence systems against ballistic threats.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine will eventually produce joint anti-ballistic systems with European countries.

"But for now, while we do not have this and there is a shortage, we must protect our families and our people. For this, we need the PURL programme. We are grateful to Germany for its contributions," the president said.

On 14 April, following a conversation with Mark Rutte, Zelenskyy also announced upcoming news regarding the PURL programme in the context of protecting Ukraine's skies.

On 10 April, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had recently received a new batch of missiles for the Patriot system.

He has also previously expressed concern that a prolonged war in the Middle East could further undermine US support for Ukraine due to shifting global priorities in Washington.