“We all now need to outmaneuver Putin in our determination” – Zelensky

To stop Russian aggression, Ukraine needs immediate help. The countries of the European Union must be more decisive.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated this at a special meeting of the European Council.

"We all now need to outmaneuver Putin in our determination – so that this war begins to finally move towards just end," he said.

Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for deciding to allocate Ukraine additional Patriot systems and air defense missiles.

The President reported that Russia has already destroyed almost all of Ukraine's thermal power generation.

"Dams and equipment of hydroelectric power plants, as well as gas infrastructure are under terrorist attacks. Russia is not giving up on radiation blackmail and, in particular, continues to brutally play with the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We do not rule out that the infrastructure of our other nuclear power plants and distribution networks are also under threat from Russian terror," he said.

According to him, this can be stopped only by the force of air defense – specific systems such as:

• Patriot,
• IRIS-T,
• SAMP/T,
• NASAMS.

"Systems that you have. They are needed in Ukraine right now – needed to stop Putin from relying on terrorist methods. And this is your security need as well," he added.

Zelensky noted:

"The greater our striking capabilities, the sooner Russian occupiers will be forced to leave the sovereign territory of Ukraine. And thus – will be forced to leave each of their neighbors and entire Europe in peace."

As Rubryka previously reported, on April 13, Germany announced it would immediately transfer another Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The system is being provided in addition to the air defense systems already deployed and still planned to be deployed to repel Russian air attacks.

For reference:

President Zelensky recently emphasized the need for Ukraine to acquire 25 Patriot air defense systems or their equivalent to fully secure the country's airspace.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, also announced that Ukraine has identified 100 Patriots available globally, but Ukraine needs to obtain seven to protect against Russian missiles.

In addition, according to the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Ukraine is ready to lend seven batteries of the Patriot air defense system.

Earlier, Kuleba outlined five priorities for Ukrainian diplomats to focus on in 2024. Strengthening air defense is a crucial focus for Kyiv this year. Ukraine is seeking to acquire not only the Patriot air defense systems but also the Samp-T systems.