Ukraine, U.S. Working on Major Deal for 25 Patriot Air Defense Systems, Zelenskyy Says
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine and the United States are preparing a landmark contract for the supply of 25 Patriot air defense systems.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukrinform.
The Ukrainian president said that Ukrainian and U.S. defense officials have been coordinating with major defense contractors to finalize the agreement.
“Together with relevant U.S. agencies, we have established dialogue with defense companies on air defense capabilities. We are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. It’s not an easy task, but it’s a long-term and very promising one,” he stated.
The president noted that the Patriot production line is currently overloaded due to high global demand, with multiple allied countries already in queue. Ukraine expects to receive several systems each year once the deal is signed.
“The White House can adjust the production queue if there is political will. We understand which European countries could give us priority. There’s growing optimism, and we’re working to secure the necessary decisions,” Zelenskyy added.
He emphasized that key NATO allies in Europe already operate Patriot systems, many of which are U.S.-owned and could potentially be transferred to Ukraine with Washington’s approval.
“If everyone cooperates in good faith, the White House could help us obtain these U.S.-owned systems stationed in Europe,” Zelenskyy explained.
He also said Ukraine hopes to finance the purchase primarily through frozen Russian assets, as well as through funds tied to the 28 bilateral security agreements already signed with partner nations.
“The number one source of funding for this deal should be money from frozen Russian assets. That financial foundation has already been developed,” he said. “But we’re also working to attract other funding under our bilateral agreements to make advance payments.”
Earlier, during the Warsaw Security Forum, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Germany would deliver two more Patriot systems to Ukraine by the end of 2025 with Norwegian support.
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with executives from U.S. defense company Raytheon, the manufacturer of Patriot air defense systems, to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine’s protection against ongoing Russian attacks.