Zelenskyy: The world has Patriot missiles, a political decision is needed
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on partners to supply Ukraine with missiles for Patriot air defence systems, as well as to introduce new sanctions against Russia.
Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address on 1 August
Quote: "The world has Patriot missiles. What matters now is for our partners to make the political decision – the decision to provide the necessary packages. The United States knows what we need. Europe knows what we need. Anti-ballistic missiles must protect people – not sit in stockpiles. And every day without this relevant vital assistance gives Russia another chance to kill our people."
Details: Zelenskyy also called for additional sanctions against Russia and announced a global meeting with Ukrainian ambassadors in the near future.
Quote: "Every legal entity, every individual helping enterprises in Russia produce ballistic weapons – launchers and missiles – or supplying components and everything else they need – must all be sanctioned, not only by us, but by our partners as well. There are still gaps in the G7 jurisdictions. Our diplomats need to work on that.
The fuel sector – everything helping Russia restore its oil refining capacity right now – must absolutely be stopped. We'll also be discussing this with Ukraine's ambassadors. We'll hold a global meeting soon. We need real results in every area: weapons for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia."
Details: Zelenskyy also said he had held discussions with members of Ukraine's delegation in talks with the US – Rustem Umierov, Kyrylo Budanov, Serhii Kyslytsia and Pavlo Palisa – regarding diplomatic tasks with American partners.
"I expect the coming weeks won't be for nothing. America knows how to be effective," he added.
Background:
- On the night of 31 July-1 August, Russian forces launched a massive ballistic missile attack on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The attack caused fires and destruction in five districts of the capital.
- Nine people were killed and 33 were injured in the attack on Kyiv, while one person was killed and nine were injured in the oblast.
- Zelenskyy said that on the night of 31 July-1 August, Ukraine's Air Force managed to intercept only one out of 27 Russian ballistic missiles due to a shortage of Patriot interceptors and called on partners to provide additional air defence capabilities.
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