Ukraine would have to wait years for 500 US Patriot missiles: Zelenskyi proposes swap with partners
"The US State Department has made a strong decision by allowing Ukraine to purchase interceptors for Patriots to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Five hundred PAC-3 interceptors would be significant, and soon — this winter — they COULD be a very effective defense package. However, it has been determined that deliveries can begin ONLY IN SEVERAL YEARS," Zelenskyi said.
The president explained the urgency of the proposal by pointing to Russia's preparations for new strikes on critical infrastructure. According to him, in the last two weeks of October alone, Russian forces attacked key components of Ukraine's energy system more than 30 times. Electricity, heating, water supplies, and bridges are all at risk ahead of winter.
Ukraine has already asked the United States for a winter aid package that would provide 100 Patriot missiles per month. The president said that 500 interceptors could help protect Ukrainian airspace in the coming months.
That is why, Zelenskyi said, Kyiv is proposing not to wait for the ordered batch of PAC-3 missiles to be manufactured, but instead to receive missiles from partners' stockpiles during the winter of 2026–2027.
"Our partners have sufficient stocks of PAC-3 interceptors. Providing them to Ukraine now, in the winter of 2026–2027, and THEN replenishing our partners' stockpiles IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS through this production, which has been contracted and paid for by Ukraine and its partners, would be the right way forward — and it is entirely realistic," he wrote.
Zelenskyi thanked US President Donald Trump and the State Department for approving the sale. He said he had also recently discussed PAC-3 missiles with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"We ask our American partners to find a solution precisely when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 missiles," the president stressed.
As Rubryka reported, the US State Department approved the possible sale of PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine, along with related equipment and support. The purchase of 500 missiles for Ukraine's Patriot systems is expected to be funded by Canada, Germany, Norway, and an EU loan. The total value of the package is estimated at $2.1 billion.
The deal's financing is expected to come from several sources. In particular, funding for the purchase will be:
Background
The US State Department approves a possible Foreign Military Sale, rather than confirming that Ukraine has already signed a contract and will definitely purchase the weapons. Under the Foreign Military Sales system, the potential sale is first approved and the relevant notification is sent to Congress. Only after the required procedures have been completed can a final agreement — a Letter of Offer and Acceptance — be offered.
DSCA documents also explicitly state that the assistance amount is a maximum estimated value. The actual cost may be lower, depending on final requirements, available funding, and signed agreements.
It is worth noting that in 2026, Ukraine received an average of just 12 Patriot missiles per month from the United States, even though Ukrainian air defenses had to intercept around 150 ballistic missiles each month during the same period. Volodymyr Zelenskyi linked the shortage of US interceptors to the war in the Middle East and explained why missiles identified in other countries cannot always be secured.
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31 of October 2026
