A month ago, Ukraine received a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel, with two more expected in the near future, the President said Saturday.
Kyiv is urgently enhancing its air defense capabilities to counter daily Russian drone and missile strikes, particularly as winter approaches, when critical heating infrastructure is frequently targeted.
After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Israel initially stayed neutral and did not impose sanctions on Moscow, unlike its Western allies. Relations have since cooled as Russia moved closer to Iran—allegedly supplying drones used in Ukraine—and condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The President noted that in September and October, US and Ukrainian delegations will conduct several meetings on weapons acquisitions through “various programs,” without disclosing funding sources. Kyiv has submitted a list of desired weapons to Washington under a $90 billion arms plan first mentioned in August.
Regarding reports that Ukraine requested US long-range Tomahawk missiles, the President said Kyiv is “prepared for separate agreements on specific weapon types, including long-range systems,” but offered no additional details, citing sensitivity.
He further stated that Ukraine and the United States now share “a mutual understanding of battlefield realities and achievable progress,” describing his recent meeting with Trump as “very good.”
