Zelenskyy asks Trump for emergency delivery of Patriot air defence missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked his US counterpart Donald Trump to urgently provide Ukraine with a package of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defence system.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with US digital news outlet Axios, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The Ukrainian president said he believes Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is moving towards further escalation and may even try to provoke other countries in the region in order to secure an easier victory that he could sell to his domestic audience.
He said that during their meeting on Tuesday 28 July, Trump agreed to accelerate the issuance of licences for the production of the Patriot interceptor.
However, Zelenskyy noted that even if Ukraine receives the licences, it would still take between one and five years to produce a significant number of interceptor missiles.
He stressed that such a timeframe is unacceptable and said he wants Ukraine to receive 300 Patriot interceptor missiles before winter.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Trump promised to try to help but made it clear that the request is complicated by the demand for interceptor missiles in the war with Iran.
Russia launches between 30 and 40 ballistic missiles during each large-scale strike on Ukraine and carries out between three and five such attacks every month, Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that Ukraine is prepared to share any military technologies or expertise the US may need in exchange for Patriot interceptor missiles.
"It will be faster and cheaper," he said.
Zelenskyy added that the changing dynamics of the war have improved both his personal standing and Ukraine's overall reputation in Trump's eyes.
"Our relations are much better and more constructive. Not so emotional like it was. And I think that it's good that it's better," the Ukrainian president added.
Background:
- Zelenskyy said that during his latest meeting with Trump at the White House, they discussed licences for the production of Patriot interceptor missiles and "several other ideas that could help".
- The meeting between the Ukrainian and US leaders took place behind closed doors, without media representatives present. The presidents made no public statements. Zelenskyy spent over an hour at the White House.
- According to media reports, the presidents also discussed diplomatic efforts to end the war and the possible visit of Trump's special envoys to Kyiv.
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