Zelensky warns US anti-ballistic missile output too low, urges Patriot licence for Ukraine
Synopsis
Zelensky has gone public — and written to the White House and Congress — with a stark warning: the US is producing only 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles a month while Russia ramps up its own ballistic arsenal. His ask is pointed: give Ukraine a licence to build Patriots itself, or risk a defence gap that stretches from Kyiv to the Middle East.
Key Takeaways
President Zelensky warned on 1 June that US anti-ballistic missile output of 60–65 units per month is insufficient against current threats.
He has written to both the White House and US Congress requesting licences for Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles domestically.
Russia is reportedly accelerating its own ballistic missile production, widening the asymmetry.
Zelensky said Ukraine intercepts Russian drones heading toward Romania , Moldova , Poland , and the Baltic states .
He called for diplomatic talks before next winter and said Russia began losing battlefield initiative in December 2025 .
Zelensky named the E3 format (UK, France, Germany) and Turkey as possible European negotiating partners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, 1 June warned that the United States is not producing enough anti-ballistic missiles to meet current global security demands, cautioning that the shortfall could trigger a crisis across multiple regions. The remarks came as Russia continues to accelerate its own ballistic missile manufacturing.
What Zelensky Said
In a post on social media platform X, Zelensky stated that the US is currently producing only 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles per month — a figure he described as wholly inadequate given the scale of present threats. 'As many as 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles per month, compared to current challenges, is nothing. It is no secret, and Russia knows this,' he wrote.
Zelensky confirmed he has formally communicated his concerns to both the White House and the US Congress via letter, pressing Washington to grant Ukraine licences to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically. He noted he had raised the same request with the previous US administration and is now repeating it to the current one.
The Case for Expanding Patriot Production
Zelensky argued that Ukrainian production of Patriot missiles would benefit not only Kyiv but also partners in the Middle East and any other country the United States chooses to support. 'We can increase the production of Patriot missiles. This will help us. This will help the Middle East and any other country that the United States decides to help,' he said, citing remarks from a recent interview.
He added that until a European anti-ballistic system is operational, US support remains indispensable. Ukraine is currently attempting to intercept all Russian drones, including those veering toward neighbouring countries such as Romania, Moldova, Poland, and the Baltic states.
Battlefield and Diplomatic Outlook
On the ground situation, Zelensky said Russia began losing battlefield initiative in December 2025. He called for diplomatic engagement before the next winter, though he stressed that progress depends on internal pressure on President Vladimir Putin from Russian society, as well as sustained American and European sanctions on Moscow.
Notably, Zelensky also raised the question of European representation in any future peace negotiations, pointing to the E3 format — comprising the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — as a potential negotiating bloc, while also acknowledging the role of Nordic partners and Turkey. He credited Ankara with facilitating the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in past exchanges.
Regional Security Implications
The warning carries weight beyond the Ukraine conflict. Analysts have long flagged that Western air-defence stockpiles are being drawn down faster than industrial lines can replenish them. Zelensky's public appeal is designed to apply pressure on both the executive and legislative branches in Washington simultaneously, framing the production gap as a shared liability — not just a Ukrainian problem.
Point of View
If accurate, exposes a structural weakness in Western defence-industrial capacity that predates this conflict. The licence request is also a signal that Kyiv is preparing for a prolonged war of attrition, not a swift diplomatic exit. What mainstream coverage underplays is the European dimension: if no credible continental air-defence alternative materialises, US industrial constraints become Europe's security ceiling too.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Zelensky say about US anti-ballistic missile production?
Zelensky said the US is producing only 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles per month, which he described as wholly inadequate given current threats from Russia. He warned the shortfall could lead to a security crisis in multiple parts of the world.
Why is Zelensky asking for Patriot missile production licences?
Zelensky wants Washington to authorise Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically to compensate for insufficient US output. He argued this would benefit not only Ukraine but also Middle Eastern partners and other US allies.
Has Zelensky formally communicated this to the US government?
Yes. Zelensky confirmed he sent a letter to both the White House and the US Congress outlining his concerns and renewing the licence request, which he said he had also raised with the previous US administration.
What is the current battlefield situation according to Zelensky?
Zelensky said Russia began losing battlefield initiative in December 2025. He called for diplomatic talks before the next winter, contingent on internal pressure on Putin and continued American and European sanctions on Russia.
Who does Zelensky see as potential European negotiators in peace talks?
Zelensky pointed to the E3 format — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — as possible European negotiators, while also noting the role of Nordic partners and Turkey, which he credited with helping secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
