Zelensky urges swift deliveries of air defense systems, fighter jets
3 Min Read
At a press briefing in Lviv, the Ukrainian leader stressed the critical need for timely decisions to "unblock the sky" and strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
-
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, center, and her husband Bo Tengberg pay their respect at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers killed in recent battles, as national and military units flags wave in a military cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
At a press briefing in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Western leaders on Friday to expedite the deliveries of air defense systems and fighter jets.
Zelensky was speaking before reporters alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, whose visit comes ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
"The most important thing is to unblock the sky. Air defense and future jets will help it," Zelensky said. "What's important is that all our decisions have to come in time. I think that is the priority."
Zelensky further mentioned that Ukraine is experiencing delays in promised shipments during last year's unsuccessful counteroffensive, adding that air defense is critical to "saving civilian lives" and "strengthening of our army on the frontline."
Read more: Zelensky pleads for more US aid, amid Republicans' floundering support
Denmark, a member of NATO, has pledged to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine later this year. Numerous other NATO countries have been providing training to Ukrainian pilots on these advanced aircraft for several months.
PM Frederiksen:
— Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) February 23, 2024
🇩🇰 is putting action into words by locking-in our support to 🇺🇦. Pleased to meet with my dear friend @ZelenskyyUA and to sign historic DK-UA Agreement on Security Cooperation. 🇺🇦 air defense and F16s at the core. Ukraine's freedom is our freedom #SlavaUkraïni pic.twitter.com/SEmMOHjbzV
Fall of Avdiivka
The city of Avdiivka fell under Russian control earlier this month, an event that marked an immeasurable defeat for the Ukrainian side.
The defeat was primarily attributed to a shortage in ammunition, which is in great part owed to an ongoing standstill in the US Congress.
In the midst of domestic political tensions in the US, the capture of Avdiivka has sparked frustration among US ranks.
Not only has Russia demonstrated military resilience in the face of adversity, but it has also mitigated the effects of US sanctions.
Read more: Ukraine ammo shortage aiding Putin: Zelensky
In another attempt to try to isolate Russia, the US recently announced plans to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets allegedly affiliated with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, who issued the announcement on Thursday, has said that the new round of sanctions promised to be "crushing".
"When you see this package that we're going to launch in a couple of days, it is very heavily focused on evasion, on nodes and networks and countries that help evade willingly or otherwise, and on the banks that support and allow that kind of evasion and some of the inputs for the weapons," Nuland said.
