Ukraine bolsters defense with multiple new Patriot air systems this winter – Zelensky

Today, December 19, 2023, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is giving a big press conference. The meeting with journalists is devoted to the results of 2023.

Rubryka reports this.

Nikiforov, the press secretary of the Ukrainian leader, announced that over a hundred media representatives have been accredited for the event. The media is anticipated to have approximately 2 hours of communication time.

Zelensky said that independent Ukraine is going through a long historical journey, repelling the invasion of Russian aggressors for almost two years.

"The Ukrainian people and Ukrainian soldiers stopped their invasion. I want to thank them," the president said.

The President congratulated the Ukrainians on the historic victory – the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. He also congratulated the special services on their victory on the Black Sea, praised the air defense forces, and warned of difficult challenges this winter.

"We are becoming more powerful every month. I had a serious business trip… several, I will not say the number, several new Patriot systems in Ukraine will protect our country in the winter. I promised not to say the number until they are protected. But I want to thank the partners. Both Patriot and NASAMS are powerful new packages, which is important," Zelensky said.

The question of mobilization is very sensitive. The military appealed to the defense of the state and potential counteroffensive actions and offered to mobilize an additional 450-500 thousand people.

"This is a severe number; I said I need more arguments. Because this is a question of people, justice, defense capability, and finances. As for people, I need specifics, what will happen to the million-strong army, what will happen to the guys who are there every day … If there are issues of rotation, issues of vacations, then there should be a comprehensive plan," Zelensky said.

The answers should be formalized in the draft law. The president says that he has not yet seen the issue of demobilization there, but the main thing is that this process should take place.

"If +450 thousand, then who deserves the right to rest? In my personal opinion, this is a critical moment. They should prepare a comprehensive plan and will continue to communicate in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," he added.

As for finances, such mobilization will cost Ukraine an additional 500 billion hryvnias.