It would be a welcome moment for Ukraine, which has long coveted more of the $1 billion US-manufactured Patriot systems. "Israel's Patriots would greatly expand Ukraine's air defense capacity at a time when it is sorely needed," John Hardie, the Deputy Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Russia Program, said. Zelenskyy's Patriot pleasUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has never been shy about his desire to get his hands on more Patriot systems. AdvertisementIn April, Zelenskyy told NATO members that Ukraine needed at least seven Patriot or other advanced air defense systems to defend against Russian attacks. The Patriot air defense systemA 2023 report by the Congressional Research Service describes the Patriot system as an "integral component of U.S. air and missile defense."

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Persons: —, Vladimir Putin's, John Hardie, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Putin, Joe Biden, John Kirby Organizations: Service, Russian, Financial Times, Business, Israel's Patriots, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Russia, Israeli Air Force, Patriot, Iraqi Scud, Officials, East, Hezbollah, NATO, Patriots, New York Times, National Security, Congressional Research Service Locations: Israel, Ukraine, North Africa, Lebanese, —