Vitaliy Sayenko, Kateryna Hirnyk16:22, 27.05.26

Kyiv is also concerned about problems with the supply of weapons under the PURL program

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written an urgent letter to US President Donald Trump warning of a reduction in Ukraine’s air defense stockpiles, especially the ability to intercept ballistic missiles. The Kyiv Independent first reported this . At the same time, this was confirmed to an UNIAN correspondent by Dmytro Lytvyn, the Ukrainian President’s communications adviser. The corresponding letter was sent to both Trump and the US Congress.

The letter says that when it comes to air defense against missiles, Ukraine is counting on “our friends.” “When it comes to ballistic missile defense, we are counting almost exclusively on the United States,” the letter notes.

Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns that a shortage of Patriot interceptors and other systems provided by the West will make it difficult for Ukraine to counter new Russian attacks.

“It’s really difficult with anti-ballistic defense,” said one of the publication’s interlocutors.

According to this official, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, delivered Zelensky’s letter to the White House, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and other members of Congress.

The letter also reflects Kyiv’s concerns about difficulties in securing weapons supplies from NATO allies under the PURL program.

“The current pace of deliveries under the program no longer corresponds to the real threat we face. I ask for your help in protecting Ukrainian airspace from Russian missiles,” the letter states.

Zelenskyy asks to ensure the supply of Patriot missiles to protect against Russian ballistic missiles.

“On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I respectfully ask the President and the U.S. Congress to continue to work together and help us secure this vital tool of defense against Russian terror – Patriot PAC-3 missiles and other systems – to stop Russian ballistic missiles and other Russian missile attacks,” the letter says.

The appeal came against the backdrop of Russia’s intensification of massive air attacks on Ukraine and public threats of a new wave of long-range strikes on Kyiv.

(c)UNIAN 2026