We need at least seven Patriot sets to keep our cities safe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday during a virtual meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group. The Pentagon is expected to announce the purchase of additional patriot systems for Ukraine later on Friday.
During the opening of the 21st meeting of defense ministers of countries supporting Ukraine (the Ramstein Group), Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv urgently needs at least seven Patriot systems to keep Ukrainian cities safe.
“Ukraine is in dire need of more air defense systems and it urgently needs more interceptors. That's going to be a huge priority for us all today,” he pointed out adding that “this year, Russian jets already used more than 9,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, and we need the ability to shoot down their combat aircraft so that they do not approach our positions and borders.”
Zelenskyy also cited long-range missiles such as Storm Shadow, SCALP, and ATACMS as the second critical piece of weaponry.
“Ukraine also needs more artillery and armor to defend its citizens and reclaim its stolen territory. And we're going to do everything that we can to help them. Ladies and gentlemen. Ukraine's struggle for freedom matters to us all. If Ukraine fell under Putin's boot Europe would fall under Putin's shadow,” he stressed.
The Ukrainian president further stated that despite the six-month wait for a decision on American support, during which the Russian army gained ground on the battlefield, the country remains resolute.
He also thanked the United States for voting through a new package of measures to support Ukraine, suggesting that it could turn the situation on the frontline in Ukraine’s favor.
Aid on the way
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, the host of Friday's meeting, said air defense would be the main topic of the talks, and pointed to Germany’s decision to donate another Patriot battery to Ukraine.
Later on Friday, Austin is expected to announce his intention to purchase more batteries and other equipment for Ukraine worth a total of $6 billion, the largest package to date.
“Ukraine is in dire need of more air defense systems and it urgently needs more interceptors. That's going to be a huge priority for us all today,” he pointed out adding that “this year, Russian jets already used more than 9,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, and we need the ability to shoot down their combat aircraft so that they do not approach our positions and borders.”
Zelenskyy also cited long-range missiles such as Storm Shadow, SCALP, and ATACMS as the second critical piece of weaponry.
“Ukraine also needs more artillery and armor to defend its citizens and reclaim its stolen territory. And we're going to do everything that we can to help them. Ladies and gentlemen. Ukraine's struggle for freedom matters to us all. If Ukraine fell under Putin's boot Europe would fall under Putin's shadow,” he stressed.
The Ukrainian president further stated that despite the six-month wait for a decision on American support, during which the Russian army gained ground on the battlefield, the country remains resolute.
He also thanked the United States for voting through a new package of measures to support Ukraine, suggesting that it could turn the situation on the frontline in Ukraine’s favor.
Aid on the way
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, the host of Friday's meeting, said air defense would be the main topic of the talks, and pointed to Germany’s decision to donate another Patriot battery to Ukraine.
Later on Friday, Austin is expected to announce his intention to purchase more batteries and other equipment for Ukraine worth a total of $6 billion, the largest package to date.
Source: PAP, Reuters
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