President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has sent an urgent letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, Congress, and American society, calling for increased support for Ukraine’s air defense amid growing Russian missile attacks. In his appeal, Zelensky emphasized that Patriot systems remain critically important for protecting Ukrainian cities and civilians from ballistic missiles.
This is stated in the president’s letter dated May 26, 2026.
The letter was written after a massive Russian attack on the night of May 24, during which, according to Zelensky, Russia used dozens of cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, as well as around 600 attack drones.
The president reported that residential buildings, schools, museums, and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the attack. Among the affected sites, Zelensky mentioned the Chornobyl Museum, the National Art Museum, and one of Kyiv’s markets.
Patriot — the Main Defense Against Ballistic Missiles
In the letter, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is almost entirely dependent on American assistance in the field of missile defense. He noted that Ukraine’s experience with Patriot systems has proven that most modern Russian missiles can be intercepted.
“Patriot systems remain the most effective defense against all types of Russian ballistic missiles. And it is precisely in Ukrainian hands that Patriot systems have demonstrated an extremely important fact: most Russian missiles can be stopped. This goes far beyond Ukraine alone. It is an important lesson for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic community and for U.S. allies around the world who may one day face threats from Russia’s partners and proxies,” the president emphasized.
He also warned that Russia is preparing to intensify its campaign of missile terror.
“We are now seeing many signs from Moscow that Russia is preparing to escalate its campaign of terror against Ukraine. Russian officials are threatening to make attacks like the one carried out against Kyiv ahead of Memorial Day part of a broader and systematic campaign. As I have already noted, Ukraine’s defense against ballistic missiles depends almost entirely on supplies from the United States — and on the support of your partners around the world, made possible by American leadership. It is American support that protects civilian lives in Ukraine from Russian ballistic attacks,” he said.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to purchase additional Patriot systems and interceptor missiles. He also proposed long-term cooperation with the United States and European allies in the joint production of Patriot systems and missiles. According to him, expanding Patriot production could become one of the most important contributions to the security of the United States, Europe, and allies worldwide.
Gratitude to the U.S. for Military Support
In his address, Zelensky separately thanked the United States for its military assistance to Ukraine. He mentioned HIMARS systems, ATACMS missiles, F-16 fighter jets, Bradley combat vehicles, and Patriot systems.
“I am grateful for every support package approved by the United States Congress throughout these years of war. I am grateful for the PURL program, which has already helped Ukraine receive Patriot missiles… But the current pace of deliveries through the PURL program no longer matches the reality of the threat we face.
We understand that today there is high demand for Patriot anti-ballistic missiles in other regions as well — especially given the situation in the Persian Gulf and other growing security challenges. For us — a nation fighting for survival — there is hardly anything more painful than seeing Patriot batteries without loaded missiles. I ask for your help in protecting the Ukrainian sky from Russian missiles,” he noted.
Zelensky also emphasized the importance of American F-16s for Ukraine’s defense.
“Learning to operate F-16s in a short time was not easy for Ukrainians. But our pilots did it. And today it is hard to imagine our defense without these American fighter jets. Our pilots have truly embraced them — and speak of them with great respect. Ukrainian pilots have already carried out more than 2,700 combat missions on F-16s. And I am grateful to America and the countries that transferred these aircraft to Ukraine for providing such outstanding machines,” the president wrote.
“Ukraine Does Not Want an Endless War”
At the end of the letter, Zelensky stated that Ukraine seeks a just and lasting peace but needs continued support from its allies to achieve it.
“We value every human life, and that is why we strive for a real peace. But as long as Putin has at least one significant advantage in conventional weapons, he will avoid normal diplomacy. Today, his ballistic missiles remain exactly such an advantage — the last major advantage on the battlefield,” the president emphasized.
That is why Zelensky appealed to the U.S. president and Congress to continue supporting Ukraine and to help provide additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles and new air defense systems.
“Ukraine needs peace, not an expansion of Russia’s missile war,” Zelensky concluded.
Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Author: Inna Mikhno