Ukraine urgently needs air defense missiles, Zelenskyy says
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine is critically short of missiles for some air defense systems, making it necessary for partners to accelerate deliveries, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the president, air defense remained a priority during both his visit to the United States in December and his visit to France yesterday. He said he presented the problem to European partners in detail.
“I will not publicly say right now which systems urgently need missile supplies. As for systems from the United States, none have arrived. As for missiles, deliveries are coming in gradually, but we want them accelerated. We very much want this and once again ask the United States,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
He also separately thanked Norway and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for their assistance, though he did not disclose details.
Air defense missiles
It should be recalled that several weeks ago, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is currently unable to independently produce missiles for Western air defense systems.
According to him, Western partners are not yet ready to grant Ukraine licenses to manufacture such missiles.
The need for air defense missiles remains constant, as Russian forces regularly attack Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
In particular, several days ago, Russian strikes hit a hospital in Kyiv that was operating as an inpatient facility. Against this backdrop, the president called on partners not to forget that Ukraine needs stronger air defense.
He added that he will continue working with European and American partners to secure new deliveries.
