Ukraine has agreements with several countries to take their spots in the line to receive US-made Patriot systems but needs money to take over the contracts, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian president told reporters Kyiv had the opportunity last year to reach an agreement with Washington to purchase new Patriot systems and missiles but that the estimated delivery time was 2030.

“That didn’t suit me,” he said, adding that one alternative solution is to take over the contracts of other countries.

“I’m not naming the countries we’ve reached an agreement with, but I’m saying that we have this opportunity,” he said, stressing that money is an issue. “You can take your place in this line if you have paid for your contract, and we must pay for it.”

Zelenskyy has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security and Defence Council, and the Ministry of Defence to find the financing.

“If such large sums of money from partners do not come through, we must find this money. It doesn’t matter where. But we must find it,” he said.

He also announced that six countries will finance new PURL packages – the NATO instrument through which allies purchase US-made weapons to donate to Ukraine. He declined to name them or the amount they had committed to.

Such systems, he said, remain Ukraine’s key line of protection.

“Ballistic missiles are Russia’s last argument in this war against Ukraine, and we have one and only one proven tool that works against them, and that is American-made Patriot systems,” Zelenskyy said, referring to recent attacks.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking alongside Zelenskyy following a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, said the US will continue to deliver air defence systems to Ukraine.

“Based on all the evidence I have seen, whatever the United States can supply, it does supply,” the NATO chief said.

Zelenskyy also urged faster European development of air and missile defence systems, saying Ukraine is already working with France, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy on building stronger anti-ballistic capabilities.

Rutte also stressed that Ukraine is successfully shifting battlefield dynamics, with Russia “becoming increasingly desperate,” and suffering “absolutely staggering” personnel losses.

In a direct appeal to young Russian recruits, Rutte said: “You are being sold a raw deal. There is a very high chance you will die or be wounded, and if wounded, you will be left to suffer and die.”

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