Patriot shortage worries Kyiv: Zelensky seeks alternatives
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern over the repercussions of the war in Iran.
On Tuesday, Zelensky voiced concern that the United States may be unable to supply his country with a sufficient number of Patriot air defense missiles due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference in Norway, he said: “Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East, we understood that we might face difficulties.”
Zelensky noted that shipments were arriving “slowly,” adding, “I believe we may encounter this kind of problem in the very near future,” describing the situation as “very difficult for us.”
He explained: “We are trying to find different ways and alternatives” to obtain Patriot missiles, noting that Kyiv is in contact with countries in the Middle East and Europe.
US-led talks aimed at ending the deadliest war in Europe since World War II were halted after the outbreak of the war in Iran on February 28.
Zelensky made these remarks after meeting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, with whom he signed a “joint declaration on strengthening cooperation in defense and security.”
The Norwegian government said in a statement that it aims to “facilitate close cooperation between Norwegian and Ukrainian defense industries” and that “Ukrainian drones will now be manufactured in Norway.”
Støre affirmed that Norway is “a steadfast supporter of Ukraine’s struggle for its independence and right to self-defense.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian president told German television that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “are constantly holding talks with Iran and have no time for the Ukrainian issue.”
Amid the Middle East war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, the issue of supplying Kyiv with US weapons has become “a major problem,” Zelensky told the public broadcaster ZDF at the end of a visit to Berlin.
“If the war drags on, there will be fewer weapons for Ukraine. It is a vital issue, especially for air defense,” he said.
The shortage particularly affects Patriot missiles, widely used in the Middle East and urgently needed in Ukraine, according to Zelensky.
As for the two US envoys, described by Zelensky as “two nice men,” they “are trying to get more attention from Putin to end the war,” which has been ongoing for more than four years.
Zelensky stated that “if the United States does not put pressure on Putin and merely engages in calm dialogue with the Russians, they will have no fear.”
On Tuesday, Zelensky also concluded a strategic partnership with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, focused on military cooperation, particularly in the field of drones.
As Kyiv’s largest creditor since 2025, Berlin is also seeking to play a central role in the diplomatic process, unlike US President Donald Trump, who imposed negotiations without European participation and appears determined to push Kyiv to concede Ukrainian territory to Russia.
Berlin plans to supply Ukraine with hundreds of Patriot missiles and launch platforms dedicated to the Iris-T air defense systems.
