Kyiv Asks US for New Patriot Missiles Before Winter

Ukraine hopes a new push for ceasefire talks with Russia could halt the five-year war before a potentially brutal winter but urgently needs new anti-ballistic missiles to defend against Russian strikes, its ambassador to Washington said on Thursday.

Olha Stefanishyna said Ukraine was discussing a license with the Pentagon to produce Patriot PAC-3 missiles domestically, although the process could take between 12 months and five years. Talks were also underway on a long-term purchase agreement that could allow Ukraine to swap its place in the production queue with another buyer.

Officials from Patriot manufacturer Raytheon have already visited Ukraine, while Lockheed Martin, which produces the PAC-3 interceptors, is preparing to send a team of experts.

“The devastating effect of every overnight attack right now is unbelievable”, Stefanishyna said. “Last night and the night before, it was 30 to 40 ballistic missiles.”

Ukraine can defend against Iranian- and Russian-built drones but has not yet developed an effective defense against ballistic missiles, which Russia is rapidly increasing its capacity to produce.

“He has an intention to destroy Ukraine, and that's why, you know, we're looking for different capabilities. We have been successful in everything, but so far, for this winter, we need the missiles.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to press for new air defenses against escalating Russian attacks and revive efforts to end the war.

US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could visit Kyiv as early as next week, although no date has been set, Stefanishyna said.

Zelensky repeated his proposal to halt the fighting along the existing battle lines and use them as a starting point for negotiations.

Stefanishyna also confirmed that she had offered to resign, saying she would return to Ukraine to defend herself in person against corruption allegations involving personal property declarations. She said Zelensky had not asked her to step down and did not want her to leave her post.

(Reuters, Lud)