Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently discussed Ukraine’s air defense systems with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, highlighting Germany’s ongoing support as a major European supplier of military aid to Ukraine.
“We have now talked about the delivery of another IRIS-T system and ongoing work to enhance our air shield,” Zelensky noted. The discussions also included the Ramstein format, a collaboration that has been crucial for Ukraine and its international partners. The Ramstein Format, also known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, consists of 57 countries united in support of Ukraine’s defense needs following Russia’s invasion.
In his address, Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s gratitude to all partners assisting with anti-missile and air defense systems. He emphasized ongoing efforts to secure more of these defense resources and outlined a strategic aim: achieving close collaboration with international partners to locally produce the necessary air and missile defense systems in Ukraine.
This comes as Moscow launched a significant attack on Kyiv on Wednesday, its first in 73 days, deploying a mix of missiles and drones. Zelensky emphasized the daily resilience of Ukrainian defenses, stating, “Every night and every day, we are downing Russian drones and missiles. This morning, we shot down a Russian ballistic missile. That is significant.”