President Zelensky Says Ukraine Needs Patriot Air Defense System Immediately

President Zelensky while attending the UN DK meeting. (Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on the international community to immediately send more air defense systems, as well as start formal talks regarding Ukraine's joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

President Zelensky said he had just spoken with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thanking Congress for passing the latest relief aid package for Ukraine, adding his country was working with all its partners to achieve a speed of delivery that would allow its forces to hold their ground and disrupt Russia's war plans.

"We are still waiting for the supplies promised to Ukraine," he said in a video address Sunday evening, reported by Reuters, April 29.

"We expect volume and scope that can change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine's favor," he continued.

Ukrainian troops face a worsening situation in the east and are waiting for US arms deliveries, following the approval of a $61 billion aid package by Congress on April 23 after months of delays.

President Zelensky is known to have repeatedly called for further air defense systems, particularly the Patriot system.

He added, "In my conversations with Jeffries, I underscored that the Patriot system is needed, and as soon as possible."

Regarding EU accession, President Zelensky said Ukraine had met all the conditions for starting accession negotiations, "and now the EU must fulfill its obligations".

Ukraine, which has had strong support from most European countries since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its territory two years ago, is a candidate to join the 27-member European Union, but the process will take years.

Regarding membership of the NATO military alliance, which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 4 said Ukraine would eventually join, President Zelensky said any country that shares the same values ​​and is ready to defend them "deserves an invitation to the alliance."

He expressed optimism regarding the prospects for peace, referring to the upcoming peace summit to be held in Switzerland on June 15-16.

Russia was not invited to the meeting and considers it meaningless without Moscow's participation.