The Ukrainian president on Sunday launched a new call to the international community to hurry up and deliver more air defense systems, start official talks for his country to enter the European Union and invite Ukraine to join NATO, reports Reuters.
Ukrainian forces are facing a worsening situation in the east and are awaiting the delivery of US weapons after Congress approved a $61 billion aid package on April 23 after months of delays. Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for additional air defense systems, particularly the Patriot system.
Zelenskiy said he had just spoken with US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and thanked Congress for passing the aid package, but added that Ukraine was working with all partners to get an acceleration of deliveries that would allow it to maintain their positions and disrupt Russian war plans.
“We are still waiting for the promised deliveries to Ukraine,” he said in his usual video speech on Sunday evening. “We expect those volumes and that scope that can change the situation on the battlefield in the interest of Ukraine,” added Zelensky.
“In my conversation with Mr. Jeffries, I emphasized that the Patriot systems are needed, and that as soon as possible,” he said.
In connection with the entry into the European Union, Zelensky declared that Ukraine has met all the conditions for the start of accession talks, “and now the EU must fulfill its obligations”.
Ukraine, which has received strong support from most European nations since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its territory two years ago, is a candidate to join the European Union, but the process will take years.
Regarding NATO, which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on April 4 that Ukraine would eventually join, Zelenskiy said that every country that shares common values and is prepared to defend them “deserves an invitation to the alliance.”
He expressed his optimism about the peace prospects, referring to the upcoming peace summit that will take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. Russia is not invited to the meeting and has dismissed any such meeting as meaningless without Moscow’s participation.
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Tags: Urgent request Volodymyr Zelensky air defense systems Ukraines integration European Union NATO
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