Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed directly to President Donald Trump and Congress for more Patriot missile interceptors as Russia continues to escalate ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

In a letter sent Tuesday and reported by Politico, Zelenskyy described the dire situation facing Ukrainian air defenses after Russia launched over 90 missiles in a single weekend. “For us, for a nation fighting for its survival, there is hardly anything more painful to see than Patriot batteries with no missiles loaded,” he wrote, requesting urgent American assistance to protect Ukrainian skies.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that global demand for Patriot systems has risen due to conflicts in the Middle East and agreed with Trump’s position that European nations should bear more of the security burden in the region. He described Russian ballistic missiles as Putin’s “last major advantage on the battlefield,” claiming they can be effectively countered with additional Patriot systems.

The Trump administration has slowed further transfers of Patriot missiles to Ukraine in recent months, prioritizing U.S. stockpiles and support for allies facing threats in the Middle East. Last week, the State Department approved a more modest $108.1 million package to maintain Ukraine’s existing HAWK missile systems through spare parts and technical support.

The war, now entering its fifth year, has resulted in Russia controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. Both sides have suffered heavy casualties, with Russian losses estimated at over one million and Ukraine reporting tens of thousands of military deaths. Millions of Ukrainians remain displaced amid widespread damage to civilian infrastructure.

The latest appeal highlights the growing strain on U.S. military resources as the Trump administration balances support for Ukraine with America’s broader national security priorities.