Zelenskyy Urges Allies to Bolster Air Defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging international allies to enhance Ukraine's air defense systems ahead of a crucial meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, scheduled for Thursday. This meeting will include U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as the Biden administration seeks to expedite military aid to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, who has expressed intentions to end the conflict quickly. Zelenskyy highlighted the urgent need for support to defend against Russian missiles and guided bombs, stressing that the situation on the battlefield remains precarious with Russia controlling about one-fifth of Ukraine. Recent Ukrainian counterattacks in the Kursk region have reportedly inflicted heavy losses on Russian and North Korean forces, but the overall trajectory of the war remains unfavorable for Ukraine. The upcoming discussions aim to solidify Western military support, which Zelenskyy believes is critical to Ukraine's defense strategy. Concerns about the continuity of U.S. support loom as Trump’s unpredictable approach could alter the dynamics of military backing for Ukraine.