Zelensky Urges U.S. to Approve Missiles for Ukraine Defense

26.10.2026 15:20

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has been waiting for nearly a month for U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to sign off on the supply of missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems.

A man sitting at a table during an interview, wearing a black outfit, with a glass of water and a notepad visible on the table.

The President said this on Facebook following a meeting on weapons supplies from Ukraine’s partners and efforts to restore the energy system after Russian strikes, Ukrinform reports.

“The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs reported on the supply of air defense interceptors to Ukraine, first and foremost Patriot missiles. We are working on several tracks – with the United States, Europe, and other partners that have stocks of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. In particular, we have been waiting for nearly a month for Mr. Hegseth to sign off on missiles for Patriots and NASAMS. I instructed our team to raise this with the American side once again. Conversations with other countries are also ongoing,” Zelensky said following the meeting.

According to Zelensky, Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi reported on the work underway in the regions.

“I thank every repair crew and all energy companies that are fully carrying out their assigned tasks. The work is continuing virtually nonstop, and we are using the equipment reserves we have built up,” the President said.

He added that preparations for the November Ramstein meeting were also discussed. According to Zelensky, it is important to speed up the implementation of decisions that have been on the table for some time.

“Every support package is an opportunity to protect people’s lives. Thank you to everyone who is providing real support and, in particular, helping speed up these critically important deliveries,” the President said.

As reported earlier, in an interview with TSN Tyzhden, Volodymyr Zelensky said there had been progress on the issue of providing Ukraine with missiles for Patriot systems, but the process was moving very slowly.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

(C)UKRINFORM 2026