Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the possibility of making tough personnel decisions if there is no progress in implementing agreements regarding the supply of Patriot air defense systems and their missiles. He emphasized that he expects clear actions and results from the responsible officials in the shortest possible time.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Requirements for officials regarding the Patriot contract
During a meeting with the heads of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security and Defense Council, and the diplomatic team of the President’s Office, Zelensky stressed that the issue of providing Ukraine with modern air defense systems is at the highest political level. According to him, there is an agreement on the purchase of Patriot, but its implementation is delayed due to legal, financial, and technical aspects. The President tasked to expedite the signing of the relevant contract, placing personal responsibility on the involved officials. He also pointed out the need for effective use of financial support from Europe, particularly the 90 billion euro package, as well as other resources, to accomplish the assigned task as quickly as possible.
“The task is absolutely clear – to speed up this contract for the ‘Patriots’, and this is the personal responsibility of the involved officials. Funds from the European support package for Ukraine amounting to 90 billion euros and our other financial resources must work as quickly as possible to fulfill exactly those tasks that ensure the protection of life for Ukrainians. Unfortunately, as of today, even legal steps have not yet been worked out for this contract. I have set a final deadline – one week for all preparatory steps. I expect a report on Friday: either clarity regarding the implementation of our agreement on the ‘Patriots’, or serious personnel conclusions,” the head of state stated.
Public safety and international support
Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized the critical importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, particularly during a meeting with American congressmen Richard Blumenthal and Jim Himes on May 27. Additionally, the president addressed a letter to the U.S. president and Congress, warning about the shortage of means to destroy missiles, especially to counter ballistic threats amid threats from the Russian Federation.
In a letter sent to the White House and Capitol Hill on May 26, Zelensky noted that Ukraine’s ability to protect its civilian population largely depends on American Patriots, while ballistic missiles remain one of Moscow’s main advantages on the battlefield.
Amid delays from the U.S. administration regarding the provision of large-scale direct military assistance to Kyiv, Ukraine is receiving Patriots through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which involves the procurement of weapons by NATO allies. However, as Zelensky pointed out, these supplies do not meet the urgent needs of the front.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. is changing its approaches to ammunition production to expedite supplies, while European countries have strengthened their defense commitments. He emphasized that Europe has become more active in helping Ukraine, and Kyiv is effectively utilizing the resources involved to protect the state.