Zelenski calls for a licence to produce Patriots. “This is simply absurd”

The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski in his Monday speech summed up the actions of Ukrainian air defence conducted last night. He reported that the defence forces managed to shoot down 31 of the 33 Russian maneuvering missiles. He judged that specified advanced efficiency confirms the capabilities of Ukrainian soldiers, provided he had adequate weapons. At the same time, he pointed out that the problem with the capture of ballistic missiles was primarily due to a deficiency of rockets intended to combat them.

It's just absurd that in today's planet production has inactive not been increased to the level truly needed to defend people from ballistic panic According to the leader of Ukraine.

Zelenski stressed that Ukraine has long declared its readiness to produce specified weapons independently. He besides added that obtaining a licence from the United States to manufacture missiles for Patriot systems would not only enable Ukraine to safe its own airspace.

If Ukraine had received licences from America for the production of Patriots, our own production would have been adequate to defend Ukraine and to aid partners who request it. – he said.

Ankara Summit

Mr Zelenski besides informed that the Ukrainian authorities were having talks with countries with missiles for air defence systems, hoping to be transferred. As he stressed, the acquisition of specified support now remains 1 of Kiev's most crucial priorities. He besides expressed hope that the forthcoming NATO summit in Ankara would end with concrete decisions on further assistance to Ukraine.

According to earlier announcements, Zelenski's discussion with US president Donald Trump is besides scheduled to take place during the meeting.

Polish support in numbers

Previously, the National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz provided information on the scale of Polish support for Ukraine.

The head of the MON reported that the highest value of aid was in the years 2022–2023 and amounted to about PLN 15 billion. Since 2024, the value of the support provided has been estimated at about PLN 1.55 billion.

Among the equipment supplied were PAC-3 missiles designed for Patriot air defence systems.