The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed this Saturday his recognition to the United States for the "firm decision" to authorize the sale to Ukraine of 500 interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense systems, valued at around 2,000 million euros. At the same time, he has urged Washington to shorten as much as possible the deadlines scheduled for the shipment of this key armament.
In a message released on his social networks, the president has highlighted that "A firm decision by the U.S. Department of State (...) 500 interceptors is a substantial amount, and very soon --this winter-- they could make up a highly effective defense package. (...) However, it has been stipulated that deliveries may begin in a few years. We ask our American partners to seek a solution for this moment when there is a real danger and a real need to use the interceptors".
Zelensky has welcomed the approval by the White House, but has emphasized that the priority is to have these means "at the very instant in which the Russian threat" remains active. In his view, Moscow will try to paralyze the main Ukrainian cities during the coming winter and consolidate its positions with a view to a possible peace negotiation process.
In this regard, the president has reiterated that "Ukraine thanks the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Administration in general for granting this authorization. But we ask for decisions that can guarantee the protection of lives, not the day after tomorrow nor at some later time, but at the very instant the threat is present".
As the "appropriate approach", Zelensky has proposed prioritizing the supply to Kyiv of Patriot missiles from the stockpiles that the United States maintains on European territory. According to his proposal, "Later on", those arsenals could be replenished with Ukraine's support. "And it is entirely feasible," he has concluded.
As for financing, the Ukrainian authorities will pay for the operation through contributions from Canada, Germany and Norway channeled through the JUMPSTART program, in addition to own resources funded with the European Union's Ukraine Support Loan. The Department of State has specified that "No U.S. funds will be used in this sale".
The country has practically exhausted its stocks of Patriot missiles and this operation means immediate relief for Kiev's anti-aircraft shield. The agreement includes the purchase of the PAC-3 MSE variant, the most advanced version currently in service and one of the few defensive capabilities capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles.