Zelenskyy urges allies for Patriot air defense, NATO funding lags (politico.eu)

• Zelenskyy demands Patriot missiles to counter ballistic threats
• NATO PURL funding $1B of $12B target by June 2026
• U.S.-Iran war strained Patriot missile stockpiles

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday pressed European allies to accelerate deliveries of critical air defenses, particularly Patriot missiles, as NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) funding falls far behind its $12 billion annual goal. NATO chief Mark Rutte, visiting Kyiv, stated only $1 billion has been donated so far in 2026. Zelenskyy warned that deliveries have dropped sharply after the U.S. war in Iran strained global stockpiles. He secured deals to take over other countries' places in the Patriot queue but needs payment."