Air defense deliveries may be delayed to make Ukraine more compliant - Zelenskyy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (facebook.com_zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine may receive fewer air defense missiles due to Western efforts to make it more compliant, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Reasons behind supply reductions
According to Zelenskyy, the drop in air defense missile supplies has also been confirmed by Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko.
The main reason cited by Ukraine's partners, including the United States and European countries, is developments in the Middle East and their involvement in the conflict there.
"At least that is the official explanation we have received from our partners, primarily the United States and also our European partners. Their involvement in the Middle East has been minimized, yet in previous years they supplied Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles for our Patriot and other air defense systems," Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the president does not rule out that, beyond the situation in the Middle East, there may also be political motives.
"I don't know whether there are other reasons besides the Middle East. Perhaps there are political motives aimed at making Ukraine more compliant. In my view, that cannot be ruled out, and we understand this is a serious challenge," he said.
Developing Ukraine's own air defenses
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had managed to get through a difficult winter, but supply cuts occurred every month, resulting in persistent shortages.
Against this backdrop, developing and deploying a domestic air defense system has become a critical priority.
According to the president, building Ukraine's own air defense capabilities is the right step both for today and for the country’s postwar security.
Delays in anti-ballistic interceptors
Russia has recently intensified its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. During the latest overnight attack, at least 17 people were killed, and another 44 were injured.
Commenting on the attack, Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's partners not to delay deliveries of anti-ballistic interceptors, saying that every delay costs Ukrainian lives.
Compared with last year, supplies of air defense missiles have fallen threefold, despite partners having the necessary resources, he said.
According to Zelenskyy, partners attribute the shortages to their involvement in the Middle East, but Ukraine is being forced to accelerate the development of its own defense systems to cover the gap in Western aid.
