Speaking to Ukrainian television channel TSN while attending an Ibero-American summit in Spain, Zelenskiy said Kyiv needed to preserve and expand bipartisan backing after US midterm elections gave Democrats control of Congress.

“Ukraine has to move forward towards the new political infrastructure in the United States of America,” he said. “We have to move quickly. Without doubt, we have to unite the bipartisan support that we get. Understanding the power shifts, we should build up our dialogue the right way. I believe we have the chance to increase support.”

Zelenskiy said Ukraine needed further aid packages and should receive what he described as $16 billion in assistance promised by Washington but not delivered.

Patriot missile supplies identified as top need

With Russia’s war continuing beyond four and a half years, Zelenskiy said sustaining ammunition for US-made Patriot air-defence systems was Ukraine’s leading requirement.

“If we don't solve the Patriot problem, it will get very tough for us,” he said, adding that European countries, states outside Europe and the United States could help address the shortfall. “This is the No. 1 priority.”

The US State Department said last week it had approved a possible sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine, estimated at $2.1 billion. The missiles are not expected to arrive until the early 2030s, however.

Zelenskiy also said he was seeking to ensure that Ukraine has enough operational F-16 fighter jets over the next five to six months.

Winter pressure and security talks

Ukraine is preparing for another winter of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Zelenskiy said conditions in Kyiv were “the most difficult.”

He said officials from the European Union, NATO and the United States meeting in Brussels were developing proposals for security guarantees once the conflict ends, and that some progress had been made. US envoy Jared Kushner described the discussions on X as productive and substantive.

US-led talks involving Ukraine and Russia on ending the conflict are scheduled to resume in Abu Dhabi next week.