Zelenskyy calls for air defense systems as allies meet – Euractiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (April 26) called for additional air defense systems to be sent to Kiev to help protect against Russian attacks, adding that a lull in British funding had helped Moscow seize the initiative.

Zelenskyy’s comments come just days after Congress broke a six-month deadlock to approve a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.

On Friday, the Pentagon announced it would buy $6 billion in new weapons for Ukraine, including interceptors for the Patriot air defense system, the largest aid package President Joe Biden’s administration has offered.

“This year, Russian fighter jets have already used more than 9,000 guided air bombs against Ukraine and we need the ability to shoot down the air fighter jets so that they do not approach our positions and borders,” Zelenskiy said at the start of a speech. virtual meeting led by the United States on helping to arm Ukraine.

The first such meeting, known as the Ukraine Contact Group, took place two years ago on Friday.

“While waiting for a decision on US support, the Russian army managed to seize the initiative on the battlefield,” Zelenskyy said.

“We can still now not only stabilize the front, but also make progress in achieving our Ukrainian goals in the war,” he added.

After the meeting, British Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he would ask allies to accept more risk.

“We’re going to ask our allies to accept a little more risk so we can do what’s necessary in Ukraine,” Austin told reporters.

Austin said the Patriot missile defense system itself would not be a “magic bullet” for Kiev, but rather would integrate with other missile defense systems.

Spain’s defense minister said Friday that Madrid would supply Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, following pressure from NATO allies and the European Union to send more military aid to Kiev.

Britain’s announced new $6 billion weapons package will be purchased from defense companies rather than drawn from British stockpiles, and delivery to Ukraine will take time, perhaps even years, for some systems.

The United States hopes the new arms shipments will help Ukraine rebuild its defenses and rebuild its armed forces as it recovers from a gap in British aid, but does not expect Kiev to launch large-scale offensive operations against Russian forces any time soon.

The influx of weapons could boost Kiev’s chances of averting a major Russian breakthrough in the east, just over two years since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, military analysts say.

But it remains unclear how much pressure Kiev can put on Russia after months of artillery rationing as supplies run low. Kiev also faces battlefield manpower shortages and questions remain about the strength of fortifications along its vast 1,000 kilometer front line.

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