The first of three Patriot air defense systems that Israel retired has arrived in Ukraine.
“The Israeli system has been operating in Ukraine for a month,” Ukrainian President Zelensky told reporters on Saturday. “We will receive [another] two Patriot systems in the fall, that’s all I’m going to say.”
Tel Aviv has disputed the narrative that Israel sent the air defenses to Ukraine.
The Patriot systems were retired by Israel. Washington requested that Tel Aviv return the unused air defense systems to the US. The Department of War refurbished the Patriot systems for Ukraine.
The Joe Biden administration developed the scheme. The US has taken three outdated Patriot systems and 90 interceptors from Israel for Ukraine.
During the war with Iran that Tel Aviv started in June, the US deployed warships and THAAD to Israel to assist in shooting down incoming missiles. Washington spent billions of dollars and used a significant portion of its interceptor stockpile to defend Israel.
Zelensky has desperately appealed to allies for more air defenses, with an emphasis on Patriots. However, the systems are in high demand. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Ukraine has asked explicitly for Patriot systems, “which, frankly, we don’t have.”
The Ukrainian leader is seeking significant financial support to fund the war next year. Zelensky believes the war will cost $120 billion, and Kiev will only be able to cover half. Trump has said that he will only sell Ukraine weapons and not continue Biden’s policy of providing a billion in military aid to Kiev.
Zelensky says US and Ukrainian officials will hold several meetings next month aimed at developing weapons purchases through “various programs.”
