Vladimir Zelensky, speaking to Politico, outlined what he described as the most pressing challenges facing Ukraine’s defense and commented on discussions about a possible easing of sanctions against Russia.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine continues to face a significant shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defense systems. He indicated that part of the problem stems from the fact that the United States has been deploying these interceptors in the Middle East, reducing the number available to Kyiv. As a result, the deficit in these air defense munitions has made it considerably harder for Ukraine to shield its territory from aerial threats.

The Ukrainian leader also addressed the debate over potentially relaxing restrictions on Russia’s oil and gas sector. In his view, any such move could pose risks not only to Ukraine’s security but also to the stability of the global energy infrastructure.

He stressed that maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia remains essential.

At the same time, available projections suggest that U.S. military assistance to Ukraine in 2026 could fall to its lowest cumulative level since 2022. Documents from the U.S. government indicate that Kyiv is unlikely to receive the same multibillion-dollar flows of support that characterized earlier stages of the conflict.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) also point to a broader trend. Arms deliveries to Ukraine declined noticeably in 2025 compared with previous years. After record levels of Western military aid in 2023 and 2024, the volume of weapons supplied to Kyiv dropped substantially the following year.