Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his evening address that Kyiv and Washington have agreed on the core principles of major arms supply agreements.
“This will strengthen both our countries and, by extension, our allies. We deeply appreciate the U.S.’s decisive steps to pressure Russia into peace. Now is the time to act,” Zelensky said, without revealing further details.
He noted that Ukraine is preparing new discussions and high-level meetings with partners to strengthen its position and the position of “everyone working toward peace.”
Last week, Ukraine’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the armed forces are in urgent need of air defense systems and medium- to long-range missiles.
In July, President Donald Trump announced plans to send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine with support from European allies. Germany has already delivered three Patriot batteries, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Ukraine needs five in total. Germany will supply two and replace them later with systems bought from the U.S.
Commenting on the deliveries, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed Europe is acting against its own interests, while the U.S. is reaping financial benefits.