Zelenskyy in Belgrade: Patriot Licenses Delayed, Missile Supplies Down
Zelenskyy says Patriot missile supplies are down in 2026 and license delays are costing lives, during a Belgrade press conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used a press conference in Belgrade on Saturday to highlight a shortfall in air defense supplies, saying monthly deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles have declined this year compared to 2025.
Speaking alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Zelenskyy said the United States remains the primary source of ballistic missile defense systems. While agreements for monthly deliveries are in place, he stated plainly that the current volume is insufficient for Ukraine's needs.
Zelenskyy also addressed the pace of licensing for Patriot systems, noting that an agreement with former President Trump would allow Ukraine to manufacture the systems domestically. He expressed frustration with the bureaucratic process, saying the delays have real-world consequences.
"It's not a piece of paper flying through the air, not a paper rocket—it's a real missile that kills people," he said, adding that European partners are also slow in processing licenses.
The comments came after Zelenskyy described another night of Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, including ballistic missiles targeting energy facilities and railways, as well as drone attacks. He said efforts to extinguish fires and deal with the aftermath were ongoing.
Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on Friday for his first official visit to the country, one of the few European nations that has maintained friendly ties with Russia since the invasion. During the briefing, he reaffirmed Ukraine's respect for the territorial integrity of its partners and thanked Serbia for its consistent position on Ukraine's sovereignty, including its stance on Crimea at the UN General Assembly.