Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which the parties discussed strengthening Ukrainian air defense.

"I just spoke with Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General. Yesterday, our Ukraine-NATO Council met due to Russia's use of a new ballistic missile. And today, Mark and I discussed the existing response capabilities – the necessary strengthening of Ukraine's air defense. I named specific air defense systems that we need, that can work," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Wednesday evening.

According to the president, these air defense systems are available to our partners. He also recalled that the decision of the NATO summit in Washington on air defense and other supplies for the front had not yet been fully implemented, but Ukraine expects this, and this significantly affects the motivation and morale of Ukrainians.

"The recent permission for long-range strikes on military targets in Russia helped. But the pressure on Russia must be maintained and increased at different levels. So that Russia feels what war is," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, he also discussed with Rutte contacts with partners, and coordinated work with them in order to carry out additional military and political efforts.

"In particular, for the sake of inviting Ukraine to NATO – this is a strategic political step – an invitation that our people definitely deserve and which can really help. Thank you Mark for your help and briefing on his communications, on his negotiations with partners," Zelenskyy said.