Ukraine’s Zelenskyy praises US over $2.1bn Patriot missile deal but warns it could take years

The Ukrainian president called the US decision strong, but added that delivery of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles could take years

The US has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine for an estimated $2.1bn, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned deliveries could take years and stockpiles were needed now to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The proposed sale will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by improving its integrated air and missile defense capabilities," the US state department said in a statement on Friday.