Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Saturday that Ukraine has received a Patriot air defense system from Israel, a costly American-made weapon crucial for repelling Russian missile attacks on the country.
“An Israeli (Patriot) system is operational in Ukraine; it has been working for a month,” Zelensky said at a press conference, without specifying whether Kyiv purchased it or received it for free.
In April, the New York Times, citing U.S. officials, reported that a Patriot system based in Israel would be refurbished and sent to Ukraine, as the Israeli Air Force planned to upgrade to more modern equipment.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Israel initially maintained a neutral stance, refraining from sanctioning Russia, unlike many other Western countries.
However, its ties with Moscow have since loosened amid the growing Russia-Iran alliance—accused of supplying attack drones to the Kremlin—and Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have been condemned by Russian authorities.
Kyiv notably welcomed Israeli and U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran in June.
On Saturday, Zelensky also discussed his recent meeting in New York with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Zelensky, the two leaders reached an “agreement” on Ukraine purchasing “appropriate weapons” from the United States.
“We achieved the main goal, we agreed with the president and are moving to practical implementation,” Zelensky said.
He added that Kyiv provided Trump with details on the weapons Ukraine seeks as part of a $90 billion arms purchase plan with Washington, first mentioned in August.
At the press conference, Zelensky did not confirm reports that he requested Tomahawk missiles, as claimed by the U.S. media outlet Axios.
“I cannot provide more details, as this is a very sensitive matter,” the Ukrainian president said when asked about it.
Earlier this week, Trump verbally shifted his stance, calling Russia a “paper tiger” and suggesting Ukraine could win the war against the Russian army, after previously favoring dialogue with Vladimir Putin and sometimes criticizing Zelensky.
AFP
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