While partner support is delayed, increasing own capabilities is necessary - Zelenskyy

Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)

Due to the delay in assistance from partners, Ukraine needs to increase its own capabilities and strengthen the country, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

At the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the President stated that one of the main challenges for the country now is the situation with assistance from partners.

“Unfortunately, some of the support is being delayed. We need to do everything to increase our own capabilities here, our capabilities in Ukraine,” he said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that there is no time to waste, and instead, it is necessary to focus on strengthening the country.

“We should not waste our time, we should strengthen the country. At the same time we need to communicate as much as possible at all levels, with our partners in particular, and between communities – to ensure that the world’s attention and support are maintained,” the head of state said.

EU support for Ukraine

In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified its ballistic missile attacks on settlements and critical infrastructure of Ukraine. Only Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems, of which Ukraine has a limited number primarily covering Kyiv, can intercept such targets.

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine critically lacks air defense systems to protect against Russian missile attacks. He added that the Air Force has a certain stock of missiles for air defense systems, but with the high intensity of shelling, they may soon run out.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Ukraine desperately requests seven Patriot systems to protect its cities from Russian ballistic missiles, but the EU cannot transfer them.

On April 10, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba had a telephone conversation with Borrell. The parties discussed steps to search for additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.