President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that escalating tensions in the Middle East could affect Ukraine’s ability to obtain air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, in an interview published Tuesday, March 3.
Speaking to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Zelensky said that US and allied military needs in the Middle East may reduce available supplies for Kyiv.
“We may face difficulties in obtaining missiles and weapons to defend our skies. Americans and their allies in the Middle East may need them for self-defense, for example Patriot missile systems,” Zelensky said.
His remarks come after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 triggered regional escalation, raising concerns that Washington could prioritize air defense deployments in the Middle East.
Zelensky said Ukraine uses the PURL program to purchase US weapons with European funding but acknowledged that similar delays occurred previously during periods of heightened tensions.
“Perhaps Americans will need them, as happened last year,” he said.
At the same time, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine plays a key security role for Europe.
“We are your protection, and Europeans understand this well; they have helped us since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion,” he said.
He added that investment in Ukraine’s drone industry would allow European partners to gain battlefield experience, noting that “planes and missiles are not enough to counter Iranian drones.”