Ukraine-Russia war live: Zelensky pleads with US to send Patriot missiles in aid package
Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with the US and other allies to send Ukraine Patriot missiles after Washington approved a $95bn aid package for Kyiv to fight the Russian invasion.
The Ukraine president said at least seven Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities.
“We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” he told the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries gathering virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting.
“This is what can and should save lives right now.”
Earlier, Ukraine withdrew its American-made Abrams battle tanks from the frontline over concerns they can be easily detected and targeted by Russian drones.
Kyiv has lost five of the 31 Abrams tanks given to it by the US to Russian attacks since October last year. Ukraine had engaged in a months-long campaign arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10m apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.
The US is expected to announce that it will provide another $6bn in long-term military aid to Ukraine, US officials said, adding that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defence systems.
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