Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is urgently calling on the international community to provide more air defenses, initiate formal talks for Ukraine to join the European Union, and extend an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. With Ukrainian forces facing a deteriorating situation in the east, Zelenskiy is eagerly awaiting the delivery of U.S. weapons following the approval of a $61 billion aid package by Congress.
In a recent address, Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the passing of the aid package but emphasized the need for swift deliveries to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities and thwart Russian aggression. He specifically highlighted the importance of receiving air defense systems, particularly the Patriot system, to shift the balance in Ukraine’s favor on the battlefield.
Regarding Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, Zelenskiy stated that the country has met all the necessary conditions for accession talks to commence and urged the EU to fulfill its obligations. Additionally, he reiterated his commitment to joining NATO, emphasizing that any country willing to defend shared values deserves an invitation to the alliance.
Despite ongoing tensions with Russia, Zelenskiy remains optimistic about the prospects for peace, citing an upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. While Russia has dismissed the meeting as meaningless without its participation, Zelenskiy is hopeful that the summit will pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of its geopolitical relationships, Zelenskiy’s calls for support from the international community underscore the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty and pursue closer ties with Western institutions.