Speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany at the opening of the 24th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Zelensky urged international allies on Friday to speed up deliveries of promised air defenses, US broadcaster CNN reported.
"You all know that we are operating with a minimum of weaponry. Yes, we are grateful for every support package that is provided to Ukraine from you, from your countries. But we need more weapons to drive Russian forces off our land and especially in the Donetsk region," he said.
He warned of a “significant” shortfall in vital aid, saying the weapons systems were essential to hold back Russian forces, according to CNN.
'I urge you to be more active in this war'
“I will not speak openly now about the number of systems they have received — thank you so much again — but the number of air defense systems that have not yet been delivered is significant,” Zelensky said, as cited by CNN.
“This is what was agreed upon, and this is what has not been fully implemented," he added. "The world has enough air defense systems to ensure that Russian terror does not have results, and I urge you to be more active in this war with us in air defense."
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking alongside Zelensky, said the Biden administration was set to announce a new USD 250 million security assistance package for Ukraine, CNN reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 926 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, CNN, Reuters, ukrinform.net