Overview
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that a prolonged conflict in Iran presents an elevated risk to Ukraine's prospects for obtaining U.S. anti-missile defenses. In an interview with CNN, he described the current flow of such weaponry to Kyiv as limited and tied that constraint to finite production capacity in the United States.
Procurement channel and constraints
Zelenskiy explained that Ukraine has been able to access U.S. systems via the PURL programme - a mechanism through which NATO countries finance purchases of weapons for Kyiv. He said this route allows for inclusion of anti-ballistic missiles compatible with Patriot systems, along with other arms that Ukraine regards as important. "Through this programme, we can include and buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and some other weapons which is very important for us. We don’t have this...with our European neighbours," he said in English.
The president noted that the United States had supplied "only a small number. We had not too much. We understand why, because the production in the United States is not so big." He warned that if the conflict in the Middle East continues or a ceasefire is delayed, "this will be not good. And maybe we will have more risks with anti-ballistics."
Current status of supplies and intelligence
Despite the production limits and the broader regional tensions, Zelenskiy said Ukraine had so far experienced no disruptions in deliveries of weaponry or in the provision of intelligence. His comments framed the situation as one in which existing flows are intact today but vulnerable to changing priorities driven by the Middle East war and Iran.
Export of expertise
Zelenskiy also reiterated that Ukraine is sharing hard-won know-how in countering drones with countries in the Middle East, noting that many of the drones used by Russian forces have designs originating in Iran. He said agreements have been signed with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and that Kyiv will continue to offer assistance. "We will continue to work with other countries," he said. "We will be ready to deliver first our expertise...and the second point is training missions."
Note - This report focuses on statements made by the Ukrainian president regarding procurement risks tied to regional conflict and the mechanisms Ukraine is using to obtain missile-defence matériel.