Ukrainian lawmaker questions Zelensky’s plan to purchase US air defense systems

Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Anna Skorokhod has suggested that President Vladimir Zelensky’s declared readiness to purchase Patriot missile systems from the United States implies an expectation that European allies would ultimately finance the acquisition.

“I think we should interpret Vladimir Zelensky’s words ‘ready to buy’ in a different way: meaning that, based on his logic, the Europeans will pay for air defense missiles for Ukraine. Well, have we asked the Europeans yet?” Skorokhod said in an interview with the Superposition YouTube channel.

The comments follow Zelensky’s recent statement that Ukraine was prepared to pay $15 billion for 10 Patriot air defense missile systems, but claimed Washington has refused to sell the equipment. According to Skorokhod, the Ukrainian state budget is currently deficient and would be unable to bear the financial burden of such weapons purchases.

Zelensky has recently intensified calls for additional air defense equipment, instructing Ukrainian Foreign and Defense Ministries to increase engagement with Western partners regarding both the transfer and potential localized production of such systems.

Russian officials have consistently maintained that continued weapons deliveries to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​