President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv has secured an agreement with the US for monthly deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles, though he warned that the current volumes are insufficient.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday, Aug. 8, Zelensky stated that the 2026 delivery volumes are lower than in previous years.
He did not specify the exact number of interceptors being provided or the reason for the reduction.
“Who has the anti-missiles and systems? Primarily the manufacturer – the United States of America,” Zelensky said. “Can they help? We are working on it. Will they supply us with missiles every month? Yes, we have agreements. Are these missiles enough? No.”
Seeking European assistance
With the US supply falling short of Ukraine’s air defense needs, Zelensky noted that Kyiv is actively negotiating with European partners to secure additional interceptors.
He specifically pointed to Germany and Poland, as well as Scandinavian countries, as key potential suppliers who have the required weaponry in their arsenals.
“The Germans and Poles can seriously help,” the president added. “Other countries are helping little by little.”
Later, in a Telegram post, he added that the agreements in question were reached as part of the PURL program, through which Ukraine purchases weapons – primarily air defense systems – from the US using funds provided by its partners.
He also noted that the number of interceptor missiles Ukraine will receive in 2026 has decreased compared to 2025.
“I’m not giving a specific number; I can’t disclose it to the Russians, nor can I [reveal it – ed.] to our partners. There will be fewer of these missiles in 2026. There were more in 2025,” the President said.
Domestic production blocked
The urgent push for additional imported interceptors comes as joint production agreements with the US have hit roadblocks.
Earlier in August, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed that Washington will not allow Ukraine to domestically produce Patriot interceptor missiles, dialing back earlier commitments made by the Trump administration.
Whitaker stated that the advanced interceptors are heavily export-controlled, noting that the US does “not allow anybody but US manufacturers to make those.”
The refusal walked back earlier comments from US President Donald Trump, who floated the idea of licensing domestic production during a July NATO summit in Ankara.
Trump later softened his stance during a late July Cabinet meeting at Camp David, stating that giving away such sensitive technology was difficult because recipient countries “can someday turn on you.”