(Corrects to clarify that funding for Patriots was secured in the headline, paragraph 1)
KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine has received confirmation from partners that they will provide funding for three Patriot missile defence systems and discussions are underway to finance seven more, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.
“I have officially received confirmation from Germany for two systems, and from Norway for one. We are currently working with Dutch partners,” he told reporters.
President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that billions of dollars of U.S. weapons would go to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles. This set off negotiations around which partners could contribute to the weapons purchasing scheme – a process that will determine the support Ukraine receives.
The Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles aimed at Ukraine’s cities.
Russia has intensified its nationwide aerial attacks this summer, forcing Ukraine to adapt to new tactics, including turning to drone interceptors.
Zelenskiy said production of interceptors has begun and put the “urgent cost” of this effort at $6 billion.
In addition to securing air defence supplies, Ukraine needs to cover a financing gap of $40 billion next year, Zelenskiy said in remarks released by his office.
An additional $25 billion will be needed for missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems production, he added.
The systems are crucial to holding back a numerically superior Russian force pushing forward in Ukraine’s east and along a more than 1,000 km frontline.
“They have more manpower, more pressure, greater mobilisation,” Zelenskiy said but denied any major breakthroughs.
Kyiv is also looking for additional funding to pay army salaries.
“Previously, Europeans refused to provide funding for the salaries of our military personnel, only for weapons,” he said.
“But it turns out our servicemembers themselves can be the weapon that protects everyone.”
(Reporting by Anastasiia MalenkoEditing by Frances Kerry, Kirsten Donovan)
