Zelensky repeats the demand for air defense systems "Patriot"

2024-04-28 22:44:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky repeats the demand for air defense systems "Patriot"

Illustrative photo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy again appealed to the international community to speed up and provide more air defense systems to his country. Likewise, Mr. Zelenskiy called for the start of official talks between Ukraine and the European Union, as well as for NATO to invite his country for membership.

Ukrainian forces face a deteriorating position in the east of the country and are awaiting the delivery of US weapons after Congress approved a $61 billion aid package on April 23 after months of delays. Mr. Zelenskiy has repeatedly asked for other air defense systems, especially the 'Patriot' ones.

Mr. Zelenskiy said he had spoken with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and thanked the US Congress for approving the aid package. But he added that Ukraine was working with all partners to ensure that shipments arrived quickly, which would enable Ukraine to maintain its positions.

"We are waiting for those volumes (in weapons) that can change the situation on the battlefield, in the interest of Ukraine," he said.

Regarding the country's integration into the European Union, Mr. Zelenskiy said that Ukraine had met all the conditions for the start of accession talks and that "it was now up to the EU to fulfill its obligations," as he said.

Ukraine, which has received strong support from most European countries since Russia launched an attack on Kiev two years ago, is a candidate country to join the 27-member bloc, but the process is expected to take years.

On entering the NATO military alliance, Mr. Zelenskiy said that any country that shares common values ??and is willing to defend them "deserves an invitation to the alliance."

He expressed optimism about the prospects for peace, referring to an upcoming meeting on the issue to be held in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. Russia is not invited to the meeting, and for this reason it has criticized every meeting of this nature, calling it meaningless, without Moscow's participation in them./ VOA