Content overview: “Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Praises $2.1bn US Patriot Missile Deal, Warns Delivery Could Take Year”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the US decision to sell 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1 billion, calling it “strong,” but cautioned that deliveries could take years—time Ukraine may not have as it faces ongoing Russian ballistic missile attacks. The US State Department announced the proposed sale on Friday, stating it would “improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats” by enhancing integrated air and missile defense. Zelenskyy stressed that while the deal is significant, Ukraine needs stockpiles now to protect its cities and infrastructure.
The Patriot system has been a critical asset for Ukraine, intercepting advanced Russian missiles, but ammunition is being depleted rapidly. The long lead time for new missiles underscores the challenge of sustaining defense capabilities in a prolonged conflict. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.