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Zelenskyy asks US to sell 10% of Patriot stockpile
The Times of India reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States to sell Ukraine 5-10% of its Patriot interceptor missile stockpile. Speaking to CNN, he said 5% would…
The Story in Brief
The Times of India reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States to sell Ukraine 5-10% of its Patriot interceptor missile stockpile. Speaking to CNN, he said 5% would help Kyiv survive the winter, while 10% would allow it to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Ukraine faces a severe shortage of interceptors, with Zelenskyy stating his country has only 1% of what it needs. Russia has intensified missile attacks, and July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, according to the UN.
Zelenskyy said securing missiles is a daily priority involving appeals to the US and allies. A proposal for Ukraine to manufacture Patriots under a US licence remains uncertain. President Donald Trump had suggested allowing a licence, but later expressed doubt. No agreement has been reached. Zelenskyy also called for greater US involvement in peace talks, rejecting territorial concessions to Russia.
The Indian Opinion
Zelenskyy's plea for 10% of US Patriots underscores Ukraine's desperate air defence gap, but the request carries risks for Washington's own stockpile. Some argue America must not weaken its deterrence, while others say a fraction is a small price to check Russian aggression. Both sides should focus on a concrete number: can the Pentagon spare 10% without compromising its own security? The answer lies in upcoming US defence budget allocations.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
