Oleksiy Reznikov, serving as Ukraine’s defense leadership, indicated that the American Patriot air defense system has not yet been delivered to Ukrainian forces. He also shared a lighthearted note about requesting fighter jets from Father Frost, mentioning this in a conversation with the Republic newspaper.
In his remarks, Reznikov highlighted the broader wish list for Kyiv, which included new armored vehicles such as the Bradley, Spartan, and Mastiff. He underscored that while there are serious military needs, some requests were framed with a touch of humor in his message to Santa Claus, reflecting the tough realities faced by those planning for the future of Ukraine’s defense posture.
Reznikov reiterated that the country is preparing for a counteroffensive, emphasizing readiness and strategic planning across Ukrainian forces. He did not disclose specific operational details about ongoing hostilities or future plans, focusing instead on the need for continued support and training to strengthen capabilities on multiple fronts.
Beyond battlefield equipment, the former defense minister stressed the importance of professional development and readiness, noting that new training programs are anticipated for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This aligns with a broader effort to modernize terrain capabilities, improve coordination, and ensure troops have access to advanced tactics and skills as the security landscape evolves.
Earlier, Reznikov met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss steps toward implementing alliance standards in Ukraine. The conversations centered on aligning Ukraine’s defenses with alliance benchmarks, enhancing interoperability, and accelerating reforms that would enable closer integration with NATO procedures and standards in the near term [citation: Ukrainian Defense Ministry].