Volodymyr Zelensky calls for stronger military support as Ukraine faces a $27-billion defense funding gap
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to international allies for increased financial and military support to address a $27-billion defense funding gap this year. During a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing," a Franco-British initiative, Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the acute shortage of US-made Patriot air defense interceptors, noting that deliveries have halved since 2023. He urged allies to provide at least 300 interceptors to help Ukraine survive the upcoming winter and protect its energy infrastructure from Russian ballistic missile attacks. The administration announced that the United States faces its own shortfall of these missiles during its conflict with Iran, which has contributed to the user-led resistance to releasing large numbers to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that while Ukraine seeks peace, it is not ready to surrender territory to Russia. He rejected Russian demands to cede the remaining eastern Donbas area, stating that Russia would not halt its aggression even if Ukraine conceded. The meeting also featured pledges from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron to accelerate deliveries of classified technology and air defense missiles to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian airstrikes.