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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a joint press conference after talks with the Serbian president at the Serbian Palace in Belgrade on the 8th (local time). / AFP-Yonhap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for more Patriot interceptor missiles, saying that even 10% of the U.S.'s stockpile would be enough to stop all Russian attacks.

In an interview with CNN on the 12th (local time), Zelensky said Ukraine currently holds only about 1% of the Patriot missiles it needs, and that securing 5% of the U.S. stockpile would be enough to see the country through winter defense.

Russian airstrikes have recently surged across Ukraine, including in the capital Kyiv, but with Patriot interceptor missiles — critical to air defense — running low, warning signs are flashing over Ukraine's ability to maintain its defensive lines.

According to Ukrainian officials, the country's stock of interceptor missiles has fallen 2.5 times from last year, while Russia's monthly use of ballistic missiles has doubled.

According to UN figures, July marked the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilian casualties since April 2022.

Zelensky said he is pursuing diplomatic efforts on multiple fronts with allies, including private deals, to secure additional Patriot missiles.

He said, "My daily life is a struggle to raise that 1% stockpile to 5%," adding, "I'm making millions of phone calls and pursuing things I can't disclose publicly in order to trade for missiles." He added that he is pursuing every possible avenue, so long as it doesn't violate the law.

Regarding President Trump's earlier mention of licensing Patriot missile production within Ukraine, Zelensky said discussions with manufacturer representatives are ongoing but nothing has been finalized yet.

Zelensky urged the U.S. to take a more active role in the stalled peace negotiations, while firmly rejecting demands to cede territory in the Donbas region, arguing that any territorial concession without solid security guarantees could become a springboard for renewed Russian aggression down the line.

He also said he agrees with Western assessments that Russia could expand the front to NATO member states, such as the Baltic countries, in an attempt to gain the upper hand in future conflict.

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-eun