Zelenskyy: Ukraine reaches deal on rapid delivery of Patriot systems and missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed details of an agreement with the US and partners on the supply of new Patriot air defence systems, for which funds are now being urgently sought.
Zelenskyy said the agreement was reached in 2025, but complications have emerged now once the process moved to the implementation stage. He stressed that it is related to the supply of new Patriot systems, as well as newly manufactured missiles for them.
"I cannot disclose the number of systems," Zelenskyy said, answering journalists' questions in Kyiv at a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The president explained that the deal involves a complex exchange arrangement under which other countries gave Ukraine their place in the queue for new air defence systems.
"The queue for Patriot systems is measured in years. We could receive this new package [of ordered systems – EP] around 2030 at the earliest, which did not suit me... So there was an agreement with certain countries that could give us their place in the queue so that we could receive the Patriot system. But you can only take that place in the queue if you have paid for the contract. And we have to pay," he said.
Zelenskyy said problems had arisen with the payment because the Ukrainian government had been counting on "partner funds" that had not yet arrived. The approval of the EU aid package at the beginning of the year was complicated by Hungary's veto.
"We must do whatever it takes to pay for this contract. Otherwise, all the systems and missiles will arrive in 2030," the president stressed.
Zelenskyy said this was what prompted his earlier sharp warning about possible personnel decisions over difficulties with the contracts for the supply of Patriot air defence systems and missiles.
"I know it is difficult but the Foreign Ministry, the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and the Defence Ministry are obliged to do this… We must find this money. It doesn't matter where. Just find it. Because securing both the Patriot systems and a place in the delivery queue is even more difficult," he added.
Switzerland ordered five Patriot systems in 2022, initially expecting them to be delivered in 2026-2028. However, the timeline was postponed by four to five years because of the war in Ukraine.
In May, Switzerland eventually said it will consider purchasing air defence systems from other suppliers.