Zelensky to Axios: Ukraine needs missile interceptors to head off winter disaster

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios in an interview Tuesday that he asked President Trump for an emergency "winter package" of Patriot air defense interceptors to help thwart Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Why it matters: Ukraine's stockpiles of the interceptors have been almost depleted, and without them the country can't defend itself against ballistic missiles. It was the reason Ukraine couldn't stop recent Russian attacks on Kyiv.If this problem isn't solved by winter, Russian missile attacks could destroy Ukraine's power plants, shutting off heating for millions of Ukrainians and creating a humanitarian crisis.The war with Iran has also drawn down U.S.

stockpiles of Patriot interceptors, making it difficult to sell them to Ukraine. Driving the news: During the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month, Zelensky and Trump discussed the possibility of the U.S. giving Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot interceptors — in order to reduce its dependence on U.S.

stockpiles and boost production overall.Zelensky said Trump agreed during their Tuesday meeting to move ahead with the Patriot production licenses.After his White House visit, Zelensky said he met with representatives of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, both of which produce Patriot interceptors, to discuss the issue.Yes, but: Even if Ukraine obtains the licenses, it would take one to five years to produce large amounts of interceptors.That timeline doesn't work, Zelensky said: "We need the Patriots yesterday." He's seeking 300 of them by winter.He said Trump promised he would try to help, but also made clear it's difficult because of the need for interceptors in the war with Iran. Zelensky said Russia uses 30 to 40 ballistic missiles in every major strike it conducts against Ukraine. It's conducting three to five such attacks every month.He stressed that Ukraine is ready to share any military technology or expertise the U.S.

wants in order to get Patriot interceptors.What to watch: The Ukrainian president said he and U.S. defense companies are also exploring modifying Ukrainian-made ballistic missiles and turning them into anti-missile interceptors with similar capabilities to the Patriot missiles. "It will be faster and cheaper," he said.

State of play: While the situation on the front line is still at a stalemate, Ukraine has managed to gain significant momentum with…