Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has released a video appeal urging the United States to allow Ukraine to purchase critical air defense systems, warning that continued delays are costing Ukrainian lives as Russia intensifies its attacks.
Zelensky stated that his government has received no response from Washington despite submitting its request weeks ago.
“The Russians are preparing to continue this war and are ignoring all peace proposals. What they seek is the complete destruction of life,” Zelensky said. “In over eleven years of Russia’s war against Ukraine, they’ve brought only one legacy to our land—ruins and death.”
In a move that has stirred backlash, the U.S. has reportedly refused to deliver 20,000 missiles to Ukraine, instead diverting them to the Middle East.
Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian request was not for an expensive project, but for a crucial system to protect the population—specifically, specialized technology to counter Iranian-made Shahed drones, which had previously been promised under the Biden administration.
With diplomatic efforts stalled, Zelensky is now turning directly to former President Donald Trump, who is expected to play a pivotal role in future U.S. policy on Ukraine, especially as tensions grow over military aid priorities.
Ukraine continues to face devastating aerial attacks, and the lack of advanced air defenses has left many cities and infrastructure vulnerable.
