Zelenskyy: Ukraine ready to buy Israeli air defence systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is prepared to purchase Israeli air defence systems, but currently lacks the means to do so as negotiations with Israel continue.

“We are very often asked about Israel. We would also like to acquire air defence systems from them,” Zelenskyy said during a visit to Belgrade, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

He said Ukraine was ready to purchase the systems but did not currently have the financial capability to proceed.

“We would be ready to purchase them. At the moment, we do not have that capability, although we are engaged in dialogue,” Zelenskyy noted.

The comments come after The Washington Post reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vetoed a US-backed proposal in 2023 to transfer Iron Dome air defence batteries to Ukraine.

According to the report, the decision was linked to concerns that the technology could eventually reach Iran. The proposed transfer was supported by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who sought to provide Ukraine with additional protection against Russian attacks.

The Israeli government has defended Netanyahu’s decision, citing a joint-production agreement that gives Israel final say over the use of the system, despite the relevant missile batteries having been funded by the United States.

The Israeli embassy in Washington said, “the concern was that the technology could find its way to the Iranians.” It added that “in lieu of Iron Dome,” Israel returned Patriot missile batteries to the United States so they could be transferred to Ukraine.

By Sabina Mammadli