He emphasized the need for immediate support, including intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine and allowing Kyiv to utilize Western weapons against enemy forces near the border.
Zelenskyy highlighted significant delays in receiving essential aid, particularly air defense systems like the Patriot, which are critical for Ukraine’s defense.
He described the process as “one big step forward, but before that, two steps back,” noting that decisions often lag by about a year. “Every decision to which we, then later everyone together, come to is late by around one year,” he said.
The ukrainian leader’s appeal comes at a crucial juncture, as Ukrainian forces face increasing pressure and territorial losses in the northeast and east. Zelensky suggested that allies could provide more direct assistance by shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine and supplying additional aircraft, specifically U.S.-designed F-16s.
“Russians are using 300 planes on the territory of Ukraine,” he explained. “We need at least 120, 130 planes to resist in the sky.”
Zelensky proposed that NATO countries use their planes from neighboring territories to protect Ukrainian civilians. “You can’t provide that right now? OK... the planes that you have on the territory of neighboring NATO countries: raise them up... shoot down targets, protect civilians. Can they do this? I'm sure that yes. Is this an attack by NATO countries, involvement? No,” he asserted.
Despite these challenges, Zelensky reported that the situation in the northeast, where Russian forces had advanced towards Kharkiv, is now under control. However, he warned that Russia continues to exert significant pressure in the east. With Ukrainian forces stretched along over 1,000 km of front lines, he acknowledged that training new recruits under the latest mobilization effort will take time.
(jh)
Source: Reuters