The appeal followed a combined Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region. The strike involved large numbers of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defenses intercepted about 90% of the cruise missiles used in the attack. Results against ballistic missiles were significantly worse.
“Unfortunately, ballistic missiles are the most difficult challenge right now,” Zelenskyy said. “We need missiles for Patriots, and only our partners can provide them.”
“At all levels, we convey to them both what we need and the fact that we know our partners are capable of meeting this need,” he said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was seeking to purchase the weapons, not receive them as donations.
“We ain’t talking about gifts,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine is ready to buy the weapons.”
Zelenskyy said the required political decisions must come from Ukraine’s partners, with the United States his primary focus. “What matters is that decisions be made – appropriate political decisions by our partners, first and foremost in the U.S.”
