Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written to US President Donald Trump warning of a critical shortage of air defense systems, saying Ukraine depends on the United States for protection against Russian ballistic missiles.
In his letter, Zelensky wrote, "When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely on our friends. When it comes to defending against ballistic missiles, we rely almost exclusively on the United States."
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Zelensky asked Trump and the US Congress to help Ukraine secure Patriot missiles PAC-3 and additional systems to counter Russian ballistic and other missile attacks.
"I, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, respectfully ask the president and the US Congress to remain engaged. And to help us secure this vital tool of protection against Russian terror, Patriot missiles PAC-3 and additional systems, to stop Russian ballistic missiles and other Russian missile attacks," the letter said.
The letter also flagged Ukraine's difficulties securing weapons through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which allows NATO allies to finance the purchase of US weapons for Ukraine.
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"The current pace of deliveries through the PURL program is no longer keeping up with the reality of the threat we face," Zelensky wrote.
Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones in a large-scale overnight attack on May 24, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Moscow has also announced plans for further mass long-range strikes on Kyiv, describing them as retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on what Kyiv said was a Russian drone command facility in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 25, said Moscow planned strikes on Ukrainian decision-making centers and urged Washington to evacuate the US Embassy in Kyiv.
