Zelenskyy Says U.S. Blocked Production of Patriot Missile in Europe

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Tuesday that Washington has repeatedly refused to authorize sufficient missile manufacturing in Europe — including for Patriot air defense systems — despite Kyiv raising the matter long before Russia's war on Ukraine escalated.

"There were promises of licenses, but ultimately, the US did not agree to this," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, disclosing that the issue had been put to Washington "years ago."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had put forward concrete proposals — both for domestic production on Ukrainian soil and for joint manufacturing partnerships with NATO allies in the region, specifically naming Romania and Poland as potential partners.

"Such decisions and such production would definitely strengthen all of us, all of Europe," he added.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that bolstering Europe's capacity to independently produce air defense munitions is a matter of pressing urgency, describing it as a key topic set to dominate diplomatic discussions in the weeks ahead.

While conceding that some incremental progress has been achieved and that missile production across the continent is gradually expanding, Zelenskyy was unsparing in his assessment of the pace of development, calling it "insufficient."

He nonetheless struck a cautiously optimistic tone, expressing confidence in Europe's long-term capacity to meet its own defense needs — while making clear that time is of the essence.

"I am confident that Europe will still be able to provide itself with the necessary volumes and defense strength. But it would be far better for everyone if this result were achieved sooner," Zelenskyy said.

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