Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a high-level political agreement for the acquisition of Patriot air defense systems, although legal steps to finalize the contract are still pending.
During a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security and Defense Council, and the Office of the President, Zelensky discussed additional measures to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, including the procurement of systems and missiles.
He stated, “We have a high-level political agreement for the acquisition of the Patriot systems, and this agreement is awaiting implementation at financial, legal, and technical levels. The delay has been prolonged,” he noted.
Zelensky emphasized the urgency of expediting the contract for the Patriot systems, asserting that it is the personal responsibility of the officials involved.
He pointed out that funds from the European support package for Ukraine, totaling 90 billion euros, along with other financial resources, must be utilized effectively to ensure the protection of Ukrainian citizens.
To accelerate the process, Zelensky has set a deadline of one week for all preparatory actions. He expects a report by Friday, after which there will either be clarity regarding the implementation of the Patriot agreement or potential serious personnel consequences.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has confirmed a high-level agreement for acquiring Patriot air defense systems, urging swift action to finalize the contract. He has set a one-week deadline for preparatory steps, emphasizing the need for immediate financial and legal mobilization.