FT: Zelenski blames European partners for delays that left Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused European partners of leaving the country's air defense system unprotected at a critical time, as Russian ballistic missiles hit energy infrastructure and brought Ukraine “one step away from a blackout”.
Zelenski blamed the European partners. PHOTO: Profimedia
Zelenskiy said late Thursday that PAC-3 interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems, promised by European partners under the PURL (Priority Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, arrived a day late due to a non-payment. The delay left many Ukrainians without electricity, heating and water in the dead of winter, the Financial Times reports.
“The installment of the PURL initiative has not been paid. The rockets have not arrived,” Zelenskiy said, without naming the state responsible.
His claims appear to refer to the massive attack launched by Russia on January 20, when 34 ballistic and cruise missiles targeted Ukrainian territory, according to Kiev's air force. The PAC-3 munitions are the only ones capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in Ukraine's arsenal.
The Ukrainian president had warned as early as January 16, 2026, that air defense ammunition stocks were almost exhausted, stating that several systems had already run out of missiles. Contributing countries to the PURL initiative include Germany, Norway, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
Two Western officials familiar with the workings of the PURL initiative disputed Zelenski's claims, saying they were incorrect, but declined to provide further details. NATO did not respond to requests for comment, according to the Financial Times.
The PURL initiative was launched last year by the US and NATO to allow the purchase of US air defense systems and other essential weapons, using common funds of European states, in support of the defense of Ukraine against Russian attacks.
Zelenski explained that his tough speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos reflected frustration over payment delays.
“Our air defenses against ballistic attacks are empty – just empty. Imagine the following situation: I know that ballistic missiles are heading for our energy infrastructure, I know that the Patriot systems are deployed, and I know that there will be no electricity because there are no missiles to intercept them.” he said.
Ukrainian officials accused Russia of “energy terrorism”, claiming that attacks on power plants and gas facilities are aimed at forcing Kiev to capitulate amid international pressure for peace talks. Zelensky said that the interceptors “should have arrived a month earlier” when Kiev received satellite information from its Western partners showing “that ballistic missiles are being launched.”
Kaja Kallas, head of EU diplomacy, said on Thursday that European states “must further deplete its air defense stocks,” warning of the risk of a “humanitarian catastrophes” this winter.
US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Vladimir Putin to cease fire on Kiev for a week due to extremely low temperatures. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the request was aimed at creating favorable conditions for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled to continue in Abu Dhabi.
Trump said Thursday that Putin would have accepted the request. Between Thursday night and Friday, air raid sirens in Kiev stopped sounding, and the Ukrainian air force reported no missile or drone attacks in much of the country. However, 111 drones and one missile were launched in areas near the eastern front, without it being clear whether they targeted critical infrastructure.
