President Zelensky Urges Allies To Supply Additional Patriot Defense Systems Using Russian Funds

Patriot missile defense system. (Wikimedia Commons/Lance Cpl. Alyssa Chuluda)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Allies to use frozen Russian funds, currently hoping Ukraine will get additional supplies of Patriot air defense systems to protect its territory.

In his latest request, President Zelensky expects Ukraine to gain about a dozen Patriot systems for. Since the war with Russia broke out in February 2022, Kyiv is known to regularly ask Allies to supply advanced air defense systems.

"I sometimes don't understand. Everyone understands the additional 10-12 Patriot system for Ukraine will guarantee life for us and make the war for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin meaningless," President Zelensky said after meeting European Parliament officials.

Furthermore, he urged the Allies to use frozen Russian funds to procure additional Patriot systems, as Ukraine prepares for a Russian winter attack targeting the energy system. "Please take money from Russian assets - it costs 30 billion. However, it will completely close our sky," President Zelensky said without mentioning the currency.

President Zelensky's latest request was conveyed by a Russian missile attack in Zaporizhia killing four people, injuring about 20 people and destroying a clinic.

"We repeat again and again, air defenses should save lives, not collect dust at storage bases," President Zelensky said.

In a post on social media X following the attack, President Zelensky said he had coordinated with the military commander, discussing the need to improve security in Ukrainian cities.

"We spoke with all our partners about providing additional air defense systems," he tweeted on X.

"Currently, we don't have enough systems to protect our country from Russian missiles. However, our partners have this system," he added.

In a separate tweet he wrote, "Supporting Ukraine is not just about standing with one country; it's about ensuring security in Europe and providing strong lessons to potential aggressors: accountability for war actions is inevitable."