Zelenskyy seeks US support for Ukraine’s air defence amid Russian reluctance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes to bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end before next winter or at least secure a ceasefire by then, as he warned that Moscow shows no genuine willingness to negotiate.

Speaking after discussions with G7 leaders, Zelenskyy said there was a growing consensus among western allies that Russian President Vladimir Putin is deliberately avoiding direct talks and prolonging the conflict.

“Everyone sees that there is no desire on Russia’s part to end this – that it is playing games, that it is Putin who does not want to end it. But he must be forced to do so,” Zelenskyy said.

In a voice message shared on his presidential WhatsApp channel, Zelenskyy said that sanctions remained the most effective tool to pressure Moscow into negotiations.

However, he added that as long as Putin refuses the possibility of direct talks, Ukraine must prioritise strengthening its air defences, particularly against ballistic missile threats.

License for Patriots

Zelenskyy confirmed that one of the main topics of the G7 leaders meeting is the issue of air defence systems for Ukraine.

“Everyone recognises this, and everyone will help,” he said, adding that “the entire G7 will work to strengthen our defences”.

But besides buying more US-made Patriot systems and interceptors, Kyiv wants to be able to manufacture them in Ukraine – and Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday he had once again raised the issue with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit.

“I discussed with Trump the transfer of licenses for the production of these systems,” Zelenskyy said after the two met on the summmit’s sidelines. “The US leader responded positively.”

“Our team will be working on this. God willing, this time we will manage to obtain licences to manufacture the relevant anti-ballistic systems and missiles.”

The Patriot air defence system remains the only surface-to-air missile system in Ukraine’s arsenal capable of countering Moscow’s ballistic missile threat. Manufactured in the US by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Patriots have been widely relied on by US allies – not least in the Gulf, as well as by Ukraine.

But the US-Israel war on Iran has depleted almost a third of the stockpiles of Patriot interceptors. According to some estimates, Gulf states have collectively fired more than 1,100 of them in the past few months.

Lockheed Martin produces roughly 600 interceptors per year, and Zelenskyy said in earlier remarks that monthly production reached 60-65 missiles at best. According to Kyiv, Russia has the capacity to produce double that amount: about 120 ballistic missiles every month, along with other missile varieties.

Moscow has been deliberately exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of interceptors in its recent attacks, launching over 30 ballistic missiles per night against Ukrainian cities.

Drone expertise

Whilst Ukraine’s anti-ballistic air defence is experiencing a shortage of interceptors, Kyiv’s interception rate for cruise missiles stands at around 80 percent, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War.

But what Ukraine has mastered even more is drone-countering expertise. Ukrainian forces on average intercept over 90 percent of all Russian drones, which Russian forces launch in their hundreds every night. Moreover, Kyiv does it with domestically manufactured weapons and know-how.

This expertise has made Ukraine not only a receiver, but also a provider of air defence for countries in the Middle East and Europe.

Zelenskyy said the so-called drone deals have been discussed at the G7. According to him, Kyiv is about to strike a major drone deal with Canada.

“Everyone recognises our leadership in supporting the Middle East. Thanks to our expertise,” he said on Tuesday.