Former Vice President Mike Pence and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday underscored the urgent need for Ukraine to acquire the means to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, which have become a primary weapon in Moscow's campaign against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
Speaking on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday," Pence explained that Russian forces have pivoted to using high-trajectory ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, weapons that require advanced interceptors like the Patriot or Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to neutralize. Pence, who was in Ukraine for the National Prayer Breakfast and met with Zelensky, relayed the Ukrainian leader's specific request: that the United States allocate up to 5 percent of its Patriot interceptor inventory to help Kyiv fend off these attacks.
"Stopping those ballistic missile attacks essentially will in many ways take the last fighting tool out of Vladimir Putin's hands," Pence said, echoing Zelensky's public appeals.
The call comes amid concerns about U.S. stockpiles. According to a CNN report earlier this month, the Pentagon has depleted nearly 80 percent of its THAAD interceptors and roughly half of its Patriot missiles during operations related to the Iran conflict. While President Trump granted Ukraine a license in July to co-produce Patriot missiles, analysts note that it will take years for Ukraine to produce meaningful quantities domestically.
Pence, however, pushed back against the notion that U.S. interceptor shortages are hampering support for Ukraine. "I don't see it that way, and I don't think the Ukrainians do either," he told Dana Bash on CNN's "State of the Union."
The urgency is underscored by recent casualties. July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since May 2022, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission. Zelensky also said he briefed Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) in Kyiv on Russia's "ongoing ballistic missile terror." In a post on X, Zelensky emphasized that "implementing the decision to grant licenses for the production of Patriots could significantly help."
Pence stressed that continued U.S. and allied military backing is "essential," warning that without it, an "unprotected" Ukraine would be vulnerable to Russian strikes on energy infrastructure as winter approaches. He cited Zelensky's concern that Putin would target power plants and heating facilities, as seen in recent attacks on a children's hospital and a shopping mall.
The former vice president's statements align with broader Republican support for robust Ukraine aid, but come as some GOP figures, including Vice President Vance, have questioned the strategy. Vance's recent energy warning has drawn criticism for ignoring Russian attacks on U.S. firms operating in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the debate over defense spending continues to intersect with domestic political battles, such as Trump's tariff dispute with GOP lawmakers.
As winter looms, the question of whether the U.S. will release additional interceptors remains a critical test of Washington's commitment to Ukraine's defense.
