The president thanked Chancellor Friedrich Merz for supporting the latest reinforcement of Ukraine’s air defence, saying it directly reduces Russia’s ability to terrorise civilian areas.
Ukraine has reinforced its air defence capabilities with additional Patriot systems, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his address on Sunday. He thanked Germany and Chancellor Friedrich Merz for what he called a “joint step” aimed at protecting civilians from Russian missile and drone attacks.
Zelensky said the agreement on strengthening Ukraine’s air defence had been prepared in advance and has now been fully implemented.
According to the president, Russia continues to rely on air strikes as its primary strategy, attempting to compensate for the inability to achieve its goals on the battlefield. He stressed that every improvement in air defence capabilities reduces Russia’s effectiveness and increases the likelihood of ending the war.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine, together with its partners, is working to build a long-term and reliable air defence network that could also help protect allied countries if needed.
Talks on further strengthening Ukraine’s air defence continue both at the governmental level and directly with defence manufacturers, he added.
“Glory to Ukraine,” Zelensky concluded.