Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the supply of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defense systems is the greatest priority for his country. Zelenskyy announced that he will address this matter in his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy made the remarks at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday. The event was held within the framework of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
The Ukrainian leader said that the NATO Defense Industry Forum was an important opportunity for companies in his country to showcase their capabilities and technologies. He noted that Kyiv, with the alliance's support, is taking part in a number of international defense initiatives, notably the 'Ukraine Priority Needs List' mechanism.
Zelenskyy stressed that air defense systems are vital for protecting both civilians and soldiers, and said, 'It is necessary to increase pressure on Russia, provide more defense systems against ballistic missiles, and impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.'
NATO Secretary General Rutte, for his part, said that Ukraine has achieved significant successes in recent months in attacks on Russia's energy and defense infrastructure. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to lose tens of thousands of soldiers, but that the advance of Russian forces on the front has slowed, while Ukraine is getting better results on the combat lines.
Rutte emphasized that strengthening Ukraine's air defense and protecting its cities and critical infrastructure are among the top priorities of NATO-Kyiv cooperation.
After the press conference, Zelenskyy and Rutte held a closed-door one-on-one meeting to discuss joint support issues.
Turkey is hosting a NATO summit for the second time, after the 2004 Istanbul Summit. The summit in Ankara carries special importance due to the challenges facing the alliance and the global security system.
