Zelenskyy to partners: We need full implementation of agreements on supply of air defense systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United States and Europe, reminding them of the promise to supply a significant number of air defense systems as compensation for the impossibility of inviting Ukraine to NATO.
"We need the full implementation of the agreements on air defense deliveries, particularly those made at the NATO Summit in Washington. We remember that to compensate for the inability to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance at that stage, a significant number of air defense systems were promised to us. I ask for your help to deliver on this," the President of Ukraine said during his address to the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit.
"And frankly, our partners know – we need 12-15 more systems, besides these, to fully protect our country from Russian missile strikes. It’s doable. The main thing is our partners’ political will. I am specifically addressing the United States first of all. The United States and Europe of course," Zelenskyy stressed.
"And also to the friends who are now online, and also our friends from Sweden – a country that has the capability to quickly provide a full Patriot battery by delivering both radar and launch systems. As for other possibilities, our team is already in touch with your teams," he noted.
He also recalled that last Friday night the Russians carried out a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "They waited for the cold weather to strike. There were 94 missiles and nearly 200 attack drones in this strike. Fortunately, we managed to defend ourselves. But we know – this is just a pause, and Russia will try to strike again as soon as they are ready, they always do this. That’s why we need a reliable guarantee of protection against air terror, and this means having enough air defense systems," the president said.