Ukraine still looking for additional Patriot systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the G7 countries to provide more air defense systems, such as Patriot, long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, and to accelerate the preparation of F-16 aircraft to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks.

President Zelenskyy made these remarks at the Group of Seven summit, UNN reports.

The recent authorization to use Western weapons inside Russia to defend Kharkiv and other cities has strengthened Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks. But Ukraine is still in search of additional Patriots and needs to continue to take the same strong steps as were taken for our long-range capability.

He also called on the G7 countries to do everything possible to speed up Ukraine's transition to the F-16, which means accelerating pilot training and increasing the number of training centres for pilots.

"And I have one message from our military - they are grateful for all the military support packages that you have provided and ask you to deliver them to Ukraine, to our soldiers as soon as possible," Zelenskyy said.