Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said Kiev has asked several countries to provide air defense systems for the winter, underscoring the urgency of shielding the country during the cold season. He made these remarks during a briefing after meetings with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Odessa. He explained that the request encompasses a range of systems, including possibilities for joint acquisitions, as there are not enough defensive assets to cover every needed area. In his words, some systems will arrive and stay with Ukraine, while others are being identified and secured for use through the winter period.
Zelensky stressed that the authorities are actively working to increase the overall stock of air defense capabilities, with particular emphasis on protecting critical energy infrastructure and the grain export corridor. He asserted that Ukraine has a robust plan to meet its defense needs and that this plan is being examined in detail by both Kyiv and its partners.
He noted that international partners possess air defense assets across regions, including the United States, Europe, and Asia, and described the effort as a complex logistical challenge. The country continues to add systems month by month, though he did not specify where these systems would be deployed or the precise numbers involved.
Earlier statements indicated that the Ukrainian leadership had to advocate strongly to ensure Western allies would supply additional Patriot air defense systems. Zelensky highlighted Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T as among the most capable air defense complexes currently in Ukraine’s arsenal.
In a broader context, the discussions reflect ongoing concerns about the level of support from Western allies and the strategic importance of robust air defense for Ukraine’s security posture during the winter months.