Zelenskyy: We actively seeking ways to secure anti-ballistic, other missile defense systems

Ukraine is actively seeking ways to secure anti-ballistic systems and other missile defense assets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"The war in Iran is significantly complicating the supply of interceptor missiles. There is personal responsibility on the part of our diplomats, our military command in their respective areas, and all involved government officials for fulfilling the promises that partners have already made. Over the past week, we received three contributions to the PURL program from three European countries. I want to thank them for this. There should be additional contributions in May, and I expect information from Ukrainian ambassadors on how they are working to secure them," he said in his regular televised address.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine must have its own missile defense system.

"We are also working on alternatives. In the long term, strategically, Ukraine must have its own anti-ballistic system – either our own or together with those partners, strong partners, who are truly ready to work and who understand what kind of challenge this is. Russia is not slowing down its military industry – only we are slowing it down with our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. We are also actively working with partners so that they, by all possible means, cut off supplies of components and machine tools for weapons production in Russia. But strategically, this must be the task - our own anti-ballistic system," Zelenskyy said.

The president said the result of Ukraine's defense development should be its own range of key weapons and the relevant joint production and joint programs with partners.