The United States has approved the sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine in a $2.1 billion deal aimed at strengthening the country’s air defences against intensifying Russian aerial attacks.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that deliveries could take “several years”, raising concerns about Kyiv’s ability to counter ongoing Russian missile strikes.
The US State Department said the advanced PAC-3 interceptor missiles would be funded entirely by Ukraine’s European and Canadian allies, rather than directly by Kyiv.
The Patriot air defence system remains particularly important to Ukraine because of its ability to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, which pose a significant threat to civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
Speaking on Friday evening, Zelensky renewed his appeal to Washington to accelerate deliveries, stressing the urgent need for additional interceptors as Russian attacks continue.
The approval follows a period of diplomatic tension between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, after Washington eased sanctions on Russia earlier this month as part of an agreement to secure Russian diesel supplies.
Trump subsequently suggested that Ukraine needed new leadership to negotiate an end to the war, further straining relations between Washington and Kyiv.
However, tensions eased following talks between Zelensky and US envoys in Oslo on October 20.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, eight years after annexing Crimea and seizing control of parts of the eastern Donbas region.
While the latest US approval represents a significant commitment to Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, the uncertainty surrounding delivery schedules remains a major concern for Kyiv as it faces continuing Russian missile and drone attacks.