On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has received a Patriot air defense system from Israel, a crucial and costly American weapon for Kyiv to defend against Russian missile attacks.
During a press conference, Zelensky stated that “the Israeli Patriot system is now operational in Ukraine; it was deployed about a month ago,” without clarifying whether Ukraine purchased it or received it as a gift.
The New York Times reported in April, citing U.S. officials, that the Patriot systems stationed in Israel would be refurbished and sent to Ukraine, as the Israeli Air Force seeks to upgrade its equipment.
Following the onset of war in February 2022, Israel adopted a neutral stance and did not impose sanctions on Russia, unlike many Western nations.
However, relations between Israel and Ukraine soured after the strengthening of the partnership between Moscow and Iran, alongside Western accusations that Tehran is supplying drones to the Kremlin. Additionally, Russian authorities have condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
In June, Kyiv expressed support for Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Furthermore, Zelensky on Saturday discussed his recent meeting in New York with U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating they “agreed” that Kyiv would acquire “the appropriate weapons” from the United States.
Zelensky remarked, “We reached an understanding with the president and are moving to the practical implementation phase.”
He noted that Ukraine provided Trump with specifics about the weapons it hopes to obtain under a $90 billion plan for U.S. arms purchases, which he first mentioned in August.
However, the Ukrainian president did not confirm whether he requested Tomahawk missiles from Trump, as reported by Axios.
When questioned about this, he replied, “I cannot provide further details as it is a highly sensitive matter.”
After a prolonged emphasis on Russia’s military dominance in Ukraine, the American president unexpectedly changed his stance on Tuesday, asserting that Kyiv is capable of reclaiming all its territory from Russia.