Mentioning Israel, Ukrainian President Wants Allies to Increase Air Defense Supplies to Face Russian Attacks

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's military commanders on Monday considered action on the front lines of the war with Russia that has been going on for 25 months, again calling for increased air defense support from allies.

In his evening video address, President Zelensky issued a new plea for air defenses to protect cities and infrastructure from Russian attacks, calling on Kyiv's allies to show the same unity they showed in helping Israel repel Iranian attacks.

President Zelensky noted three sectors where Ukrainian forces face difficult situations in countering the Russian onslaught, namely Chasiv Yar, west of the Russian-held city of Bakhmut in the east, and Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, further west and north.

President Zelensky further said reports were presented regarding the provision of weapons and electronic warfare systems, as well as how to protect infrastructure hit by Russian missile and drone attacks for weeks.

In addition, President Zelensky also heard intelligence reports about a new Russian attack that he predicted would be launched soon.

"This is about what we have to prepare for, all forms of enemy action," said President Zelensky, as reported by Reuters, April 16.

"It is clear that the madness in the Kremlin is still strong and the invaders will try to intensify their attacks. We will respond," he stressed.

Russian forces have made small advances in recent weeks, securing control of villages in the eastern Donetsk region since recapturing the key town of Avdiivka in February.

On the same occasion, President Zelensky again praised what he described as "unity" in helping Israel defend itself from Iranian air strikes last weekend.

"Israel is not a member of NATO and has nothing to do with the war," he said.

"They only help save lives. Shahed (drone) in the skies of Ukraine sounds like in the skies of the Middle East. Ballistic attacks everywhere are the same if they are not shot down," explained President Zelensky.

He called for "political will", especially from the United States, where an aid package is still stalled in Congress.

Separately, US House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to decide this week on how to handle President Joe Biden's request for billions of dollars in security aid for Ukraine and other US allies.

Johnson has refused to allow the Republican-controlled House to vote on a measure that has already passed the Senate.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told a Black Sea Security Conference that Ukraine needed additional Patriot and other air defense systems.

It is known that Western allies have been reluctant to send additional air defenses to Kyiv, while Ukraine needs 26 Patriot systems to fully protect the country's territory. Germany has promised to deliver another system following a request from Kyiv.

Foreign Minister Kuleba met with his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, in Kyiv to coordinate immediate Patriot supply efforts.