Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more air defense systems to be sent to Ukraine , to help defend against Russian strikes and added that the pause in American funding helped Moscow take the initiative, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
"This year, Russian fighter jets have already used more than 9,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, and we need the ability to shoot down combat aircraft so that they cannot approach our positions and borders," Zelensky said in the start of a virtual meeting on arming Ukraine hosted by the US.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the meeting would focus on Ukraine's air defense capabilities. The meeting comes days after the US Congress approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine after a half-year delay, according to Reuters. President Joe Biden's administration then rushed to announce that $1 billion worth of artillery, air defenses and other equipment would soon be sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
"While we were waiting for the decision on American support, the Russian army managed to take the initiative on the battlefield," Zelensky said. "We can still not only stabilize the front, but also move closer to achieving our Ukrainian goals in the war."
The US hopes the new arms shipments will help Ukraine rebuild its defense lines, re-equip its forces and recover from a pause in US aid, but does not expect Kiev to launch large-scale offensive operations against Russian forces anytime soon future, Reuters points out. The influx of weapons could improve Kiev's chances of preventing a major Russian breakthrough in the east of the country, military analysts say.
However, it is still unclear how much pressure Kiev will be able to exert against Russia after months of saving artillery shells caused by dwindling stocks, Reuters commented. Kiev also faces a shortage of manpower on the battlefield, as well as questions about the strength of its fortifications along its 1,000-kilometer front line.