Zelensky named three arms priorities for Ukraine to Ramstein meeting

Today, on April 26, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky took part in a meeting in the Ramstein format. In particular, he named the weapons that Ukraine needs.

The Pentagon published the speech of the Ukrainian President on X (Twitter).

"Dear friends, please do not forget that you are making decisions. It's not just about supplying weapons, you are deciding the fate of a world that will either live by the rules we all recognize or depend only on the mercy of those whose violence is brutal. At what stage is the war now? After two years of Ramstein, the answer is obvious," Zelensky said.

He emphasized that in six months without American assistance, the Russian army managed to seize the initiative on the battlefield. But now, Ukrainian defenders are able not only to stabilize the front, but also to de-occupy the territories.

Now, according to Zelensky, Ukraine needs:

• long-range weapons so that there is no safe area in Ukraine left for the occupier;

• air defense systems, including at least seven Patriot systems to shoot down Russian warplanes and prevent them from reaching the Ukrainian border;

• artillery to thwart the counteroffensive planned by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and stop enemy attacks, as well as to conduct their own active operations.

The president also called on Western allies to "pay maximum attention to the production of weapons, both in their countries and in Ukraine".

"Now Ukraine has the potential to produce, in particular, drones, which far exceeds our financial capabilities. The same with electronic warfare systems. The same is true in many areas in your countries. We need to fill our defense capacities with real orders," the President emphasized.

He added that the Armed Forces are currently forming new brigades that need to be provided with weapons, as "even the best soldiers will not be able to change the course of the war without weapons".

It is worth noting that today, April 26, is the 21st meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine. It is attended by Western defense ministers. The key topic is military assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 26/04/2024