Ukraine is ready to purchase 10 Patriot air defense systems from the United States using its own funds to protect major cities from Russian missile strikes, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi told CBS in an interview.

Zelenskyi said he had presented several proposals for acquiring American-made Patriot systems during the conversation with Donald Trump, including an offer to buy them directly.

“One system costs $1.5 billion. We are ready to buy at least 10 systems to protect certain cities—only civilian areas, city centers, places where people gather. That’s $15 billion. We are ready to pay this $15 billion. We will find the money and pay in full,” Zelenskyi said.

He added that some European partners had expressed readiness to help finance the purchase.

“The US says there is currently no possibility. But at the same time, they are selling such systems, for example, to Israel. I’m not saying Israel doesn’t need them, but if we are partners, is it really impossible to find a way to protect Ukraine?” he said.

Zelenskyi also raised the possibility of licensed production of the Patriots and their missiles on Ukrainian territory—an idea that had been discussed with both current and previous U.S. administrations.

Another option under consideration was leasing existing systems from regions in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia where no active fighting is taking place.

“We were ready to receive them even under a lease agreement. There are many ways to do this. What’s needed is the will,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine’s Air Defense Requirements

Zelenskyi said Ukraine needed a minimum of 10 long-range systems to protect major cities from Russian cruise and ballistic missile attacks.

However, some Ukrainian military officials estimate the real requirement could be twice as high: seven anti-aircraft missile battalions, each consisting of three batteries. To build layered air defenses, each battalion would also need three to four batteries of medium-range systems such as NASAMS.

Media reports have previously speculated about the fate of decommissioned Israeli Patriot systems, some of which may be transferred to the U.S. and potentially supplied to Ukraine.