Ukraine requests more weapons at defense group summit in Germany

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday urgently asked for more arms from the 50 countries represented at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group summit. Giving a speech in English, he specifically requested Patriot weapons systems, U.S.-made air defense missiles that have been widely exported. He added that his country also needs more long-range missile systems. Russian forces have launched roughly 9,000 guided aerial bombs against his country just this year, he said. He said that if Ukrainian forces receive the necessary equipment, they will be able to stop Russian forces.

Did the United States say anything at the summit? U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told leaders at the meeting that the United States would provide Ukraine $1 billion in missile systems. The aid will be provided by presidential drawdowns of U.S. stock, he said. Austin also applauded the signing of legislation that provided $60 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine. He noted that Germany would provide a Patriot missile defense system as Zelenskyy requested.

Dig deeper: Listen to Carolina Lumetta and Leo Briceno’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about the recent legislation providing aid to Ukraine.