Kiev makes new demand for European interceptors
Ukraine has asked five European nations to release 10% of their interceptor missile stockpiles to ease the shortage of air defense ammunition.
Defense Minister Evgeny Khmara presented the proposal by video on Monday to his counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, and Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski, who met in Paris. He said their Patriot and IRIS-T stocks can be replenished from future deliveries contracted for Ukraine with foreign funding.
Khmara floated a similar proposal for advance deliveries of Patriots last month. Kiev also accused Washington of delaying deliveries of the interceptors. US officials cited the competing military needs of their own forces and denied any change in policy toward Ukraine.
The five countries’ joint statement made no commitment to supply additional interceptors, though they reiterated their support for Ukraine “by all available means – politically, militarily and financially.”
Poland and the Netherlands have said they have no Patriot missiles to spare; Greece has warned that aid must not undermine its own defenses. Germany, a key donor, has pledged additional older PAC-2 interceptors from its military stocks. Other European countries have reportedly held back PAC-3 missiles to preserve their own reserves.
The shortage comes amid an escalating exchange of long-range strikes. Kiev intensified drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and retail warehouses over the summer in what Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky called a “40-day pressure campaign.” Russia has said its increased strikes on Ukrainian targets are retaliation. Ukrainian forces are struggling to intercept Russian ballistic missiles and faster, jet-powered long-range drones.
Kiev is also seeking additional financial support after overspending this year. Zelensky has asked European donors for at least €70 billion ($78 billion) to cover military and budget needs; Western governments are struggling to agree on how to finance additional aid.
The EU, which borrowed €90 billion ($100 billion) last year to prop up the government in Kiev for 2026-2027, is facing tensions among member states, with the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia saying they won’t take part in a potential new loan proposed by the European Commission.
