Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to US President Donald Trump for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles, warning that Russian ballistic missiles remain Moscow's last significant battlefield advantage. In a letter addressed to Trump and the US Congress, seen by Reuters, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's urgent need for Patriot systems to defend against Russian strikes.
Zelensky's Plea for Patriot Systems
Zelensky stated, "I ask for your help in protecting Ukraine's skies from Russian missiles. We have already proposed that Ukraine is ready to purchase the number of Patriot systems and interceptor missiles we need." Ukraine relies solely on US-made interceptors for its Patriot air defense systems to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles. Throughout four years of war, Kyiv has faced a shortage of interceptors, and the Iran war has further strained resources.
Since Trump took office, Ukraine has been procuring Patriot missiles through NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, funded by European allies. However, Zelensky noted that the current pace of deliveries through PURL is insufficient to meet the escalating threat. "For us — for a nation fighting for its survival — there is hardly anything more painful to see than Patriot batteries with no missiles loaded," he added.
Call for Swift Action
In his nightly video address, Zelensky highlighted the rarity of a foreign leader addressing both the US president and Congress simultaneously, but stressed that the situation demands immediate and effective action. "It is important that America hears Ukraine," he said. He argued that ensuring Ukraine's protection from Russian ballistic missiles is critical for negotiating peace. "The sooner we can provide greater protection against ballistic missiles, the faster we can ensure that diplomacy works. As long as Russia relies on missiles, its interest in diplomacy is not genuine. We must correct this, and we can only correct it together, with America."
Recent Russian Strikes
The letter was first reported by The Kyiv Independent. According to Ukraine's air force, Russia launched 30 ballistic missiles in its latest massive strike on Sunday, with only 11 intercepted. Zelensky also reported that Moscow deployed two nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic Oreshnik missiles in that attack. "One struck the Kyiv region, while another, reportedly, fell in temporarily occupied territory in Ukraine's Donetsk region," he said.
Ukraine's Resilience and Gratitude
In his letter, Zelensky outlined Ukraine's success in repelling Russia's full-scale aggression, now in its fifth year, and expressed gratitude for US support. However, he warned, "But as long as Putin still has even one meaningful advantage in conventional weapons, he will avoid conventional diplomacy. Today, his ballistic missiles remain exactly that — his last major advantage on the battlefield."
