"The White House could help us – so that we could receive them," the head of state noted.
Ukraine is counting on the purchase of Patriot systems using frozen Russian assets and bilateral security agreements.
Ukraine and the United States are preparing a contract for the supply of 25 Patriot air defense missile systems. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a conversation with journalists on Monday, October 20, as reported by Ukrinform.
"In coordination with the relevant U.S. agencies, we have built conversations with defense companies regarding air defense and are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. I believe this is a very good story. It’s not easy. But it’s long-term," Zelensky said.
He reminded that there are certain queues from countries that have signed contracts for the supply of Patriot systems.
"These 25 systems will be received annually, with different quantities in different years. The White House can change the queue if there is political will. We understand which European countries can provide us with this priority in the queue. There is more positivity in this matter – we are currently working to obtain the necessary decisions," the president explained.
He added that each of the European countries that are key in NATO has its own Patriot systems, and there are also systems that belong to the United States.
"This indicates that if everyone works together and if there is goodwill, then with these American systems that are with these European countries, the White House could help us – so that we could receive them," the head of state noted.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine hopes to finance the purchase of Patriot primarily through frozen Russian assets, as well as bilateral security agreements.
"For our systems, for the number I mentioned, corresponding funds are needed. It is clear to us that the primary source of this money is funds from the use of frozen Russian assets. So, the financial basis for this deal has been worked out. Of course, we also need to work on another financial source. We currently have 28 bilateral security agreements with countries. Finding finances and paying the advance is the task, and within the framework of these agreements, this is realistic," Zelensky believes.
He added that the request for 25 Patriot systems comes from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Recall that last week, Volodymyr Zelensky met with representatives of the defense company Raytheon, which produces Patriot systems.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that our air defense demonstrates effectiveness at the level of 74%, but additional efforts are needed to cover rear energy, critical infrastructure, and logistics.
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