Ukraine needs 25 Patriot air defence systems and more F-16 warplanes: Zelensky
Mr Zelensky said he was ‘appalled’ by the recent attempt on the life of Donald Trump.
Ukraine needs 25 Patriot air defence systems to fully defend its airspace and protect the entire country from Russian missile attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian leader added that he also wants Western partners to send more F-16 warplanes than those already pledged.
In his first news conference since returning from a trip to the United States, Mr Zelensky said he is ready to work with Donald Trump if he wins November’s American election.
“I am not afraid” of that prospect, Mr Zelensky said, adding he is convinced that most Republicans support Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Western support is crucial for Ukraine as it tries to beat back Russia’s bigger and better-equipped invading army.
Mr Zelensky has proved talented at persuading friendly countries to provide ever more support, even if he does not always get what he wants immediately.
A six-month delay in military assistance from the US, the biggest single contributor to Ukraine, meant that Kyiv’s forces “lost the initiative” on the front line, Mr Zelensky said.
Since the US aid resumed in April, Ukraine has been scrambling to block a Russian offensive in eastern areas.
Mr Zelensky did not say how many Patriot systems Ukraine currently possesses, though it is far fewer than the 25 he says his country needs as Russia has battered the national power grid.
The US and other Nato allies promised last week to provide Ukraine with dozens of air defence systems in the coming months, including at least four of the sophisticated and expensive Patriot systems.
F-16 warplanes pledged by Western countries are due to arrive in Ukraine in two waves: the first batch this summer, and the second by the end of the year, Mr Zelensky said.
He acknowledged the deliveries will not, on their own, be a game-changer in the war, given that the Russian air force is far larger. Ukraine will need more warplanes, he said.
Commenting on other issues, Zelenskyy said Russia should be present at a second international gathering to discuss peace. Russia was absent from the first meeting. There is no date for a second gathering.
He added that a Ukrainian government reshuffle is in the cards. “We are discussing various changes with some ministers,” Mr Zelensky said.
Efforts to mobilise more troops are going according to plan, though Ukraine does not have enough training grounds and 14 brigades have not yet received promised Western weapons.
