Ukraine needs 25 Patriots for full protection – president

The head of state said this during a press conference on Monday, Ukrinform reports.

"From the point of view of the structure of our air defense, in order to protect all of Ukraine, according to our military, we need 25 [Patriot] systems," Zelensky said.

He also added: "If I tell you how many more [systems] we need, it will be clear how many we already have."

Zelensky also noted that this air defense system is not the only one Ukraine needs.

"Various systems work for protection. The Patriot alone will not be able to work. But it is the most important and the most powerful in this generalized system. Because nothing else works with ballistic missiles," he said.

He said that Ukraine had held additional negotiations with several European countries regarding the transfer of air defense systems, but it is possible to completely protect Ukraine's skies only with the assistance of the United States.

"I believe that at this NATO summit, Ukraine got the maximum it could get. Of course, I would like to have 25 Patriot systems. But this is not a matter for NATO. Because among all NATO members, the U.S. gives consent, and the Europeans give us as many [air defense systems] as they can. There are still a couple of countries that could give us additional systems. I just don't want to talk about something when there is no final solution. But it is impossible to completely close the need for air defense without the United States, because the necessary number of systems is only there," he said.

Zelensky also noted that during the NATO summit, Ukraine did not receive a full invitation to join the military alliance, as it is in a state of war.

"Without populism, without chatter, Ukraine will receive an invitation to NATO and membership in NATO quickly, as soon as the war ends," Zelensky said.