The shortage of interceptors has become critically acute, and daily negotiations with allies demand immense effort.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy / © TSN
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the country needs only 5% of American interceptor missile stocks to survive the winter. According to him, the weapon deficit amid an increase in Russian ballistic attacks is one of the greatest challenges since the start of the full-scale war.
The head of state shared this in an interview with CNN.
Ukraine currently possesses only a tenth of the interceptor missiles it urgently requires from the United States to repel Russian ballistic attacks. Zelenskyy mentioned that a significant portion of his working time is consumed by “millions” of phone calls and complex negotiations with allies regarding the supply of additional missiles.
5% of US interceptor missile stocks would allow Ukraine to survive the winter
In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified its ballistic strikes. Kyiv suffers the most from these, as Ukraine’s Patriot interceptor missile stocks are nearly depleted. According to Zelenskyy, even a tenth of the current American stock would be sufficient to stop all Russian ballistic attacks. Meanwhile, 5% of American reserves would enable Ukraine to get through the winter.
“This year, we have two and a half times fewer interceptors than we had in 2025. Russia has twice as many ballistic missiles per month as before,” said the President of Ukraine.
According to UN data, July was the deadliest month for Ukraine’s civilian population since April 2022.
“Attacks occur every night, and four or five times a month, we have massive attacks… terrible nights. Truly very heroic, very resilient people. But they are tired,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that even a partial replenishment of American interceptor stocks could significantly impact the situation.
“If they sell us 5%, we will survive the winter and save lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all Russian ballistic missiles. I have 1%,” stated the head of state.
Journalists noted that Zelenskyy rarely detailed his personal daily efforts to obtain additional interceptor missiles. According to him, this involves numerous negotiations and agreements with allies, the specifics of which the president preferred not to disclose publicly.
“This is what I live with every day: from 1% to 5%. I have a few months and a million phone calls… I’m trying to exchange something for missiles… I’m doing things I can’t even talk about. It doesn’t mean it’s illegal. But I cannot talk about it,” explained the head of state.
Uncertainty regarding Ukraine’s authorization to produce Patriot missiles
Zelenskyy reported that there remains uncertainty regarding the practical implementation of US President Donald Trump’s statement about potentially allowing Ukraine to independently produce interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
The publication recalled that during the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump expressed readiness to grant Ukraine a license to produce advanced interceptors. However, within a few days, the American president expressed doubts about such a decision. Representatives of the Patriot manufacturing companies had already visited Kyiv to discuss the possibility of launching production, but no concrete agreements have been reached yet.
“I hope I will get it. I don’t have 5% now, nor do I have such approval. And for me, this is a major challenge, one of the biggest I’ve had since the beginning of this war,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to the president, he is trying to persuade the White House to increase the supply of Patriot missiles to Ukraine both directly—through phone calls and messages—and via allies. However, Zelenskyy decided not to disclose the details of recent contacts with the Trump administration.
The head of state confirmed that he recently spoke by phone with US Vice President JD Vance. However, he declined to answer whether Vance, as previously reported by the Financial Times, had requested an end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil ports in the Black Sea. This refers to strikes that could harm American companies and affect global energy prices.
Peace process for ending the war in Ukraine
Simultaneously, Kyiv proposed new steps within the peace process initiated by Trump, which has practically stalled in recent months. Zelenskyy did not reveal the details of the proposals but stressed the need for more active US involvement.
“We need more involvement from the American side in the peace plan. I am grateful to President Trump’s team for wanting to continue. Putin currently does not want to stop this war, and there is insufficient pressure on him,” said the President of Ukraine.
He also categorically rejected suggestions about the possibility of ceding Donbas territories that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to capture. According to Zelenskyy, the issue of reliable security guarantees, which must prevent a new Russian invasion, remains fundamental for Kyiv.
“Russia is starting to talk about this war, and they are talking about territory. The key question is why he won’t come again with 1 or 2 million additional soldiers after a long pause. Why won’t he come again to occupy us?” the Ukrainian leader remarked.
Expansion of the war to NATO
Furthermore, he agreed with assessments from some Western countries that Russia might attempt to expand the war into NATO territory. Specifically, Zelenskyy suggested the possibility of an attack on small Baltic countries that are members of the Alliance.
“He (Putin – ed.) doesn’t know how to end this war without a large occupation or a great victory for his society. It’s easier for him to find some smaller country… it won’t matter to him whether that country is in NATO or not. He wants a quick victory, to be 100% sure that he will win, occupy, destroy, or control,” explained the head of state.
It is worth noting that on August 8, Zelenskyy announced an agreement with the US on the monthly supply of missiles for Patriot systems and mentioned that Germany and Poland could also provide significant assistance. Additionally, Ukraine is working on developing its own ballistics in cooperation with European partners.
Zelenskyy also reported that the production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine under American licenses is currently being hampered by bureaucratic procedures, even though the political decision to transfer US technology has already been made. According to the head of state, the deployment of production could take from 12 months to several years.
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