US Plans To Send Additional Weapons, Ukrainian President: Important To Save Lives

The delivery of US weapons to Ukraine. (Twitter/@USEmbassyKyiv)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky assesses plans to deliver additional weapons from the United States are important to Ukraine, ordering senior security officials to confirm its deliveries.

President Zelensky ordered the expansion of contacts with the US to ensure the delivery of important military supplies, especially air defenses.

The order comes a day after US President Donald Trump said Washington would send more weapons to Ukraine, especially the defensive one, to help the country defend itself from rising Russian attacks.

"Today, I instruct the defense minister and commander-in-chief to intensify all contact with the American side," President Zelensky said in his evening video address.

"Currently we have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect the people and our position," he continued.

President Zelensky said the focus of today's shipments is on "air defenses, as well as other supply elements from the US."

"This is an important delivery which means saving lives and protecting cities and villages in Ukraine. I expect the outcome of these contacts soon. And this week, we are preparing a format for a meeting of our military and political teams," President Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense said it would send additional defense weapons to Ukraine at the direction of President Trump, to ensure Ukraine could defend itself while efforts continue to secure lasting peace.

The US's decision to stop some shipments of weapons to Kyiv prompted Ukraine to warn it would hinder its ability to fend off airstrikes and Russian advances on the battlefield.

The Russian military in recent weeks has stepped up airstrikes against Ukrainian cities using drones and missiles.

President Trump on Tuesday again expressed his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the failure to reach a ceasefire as part of steps to secure peace.

He later said he was considering additional sanctions against Moscow.