Zelensky to Blinken: Ukraine needs 2 Patriots to protect Kharkiv Oblast
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the latter's visit to Kyiv on May 14, The Kyiv Independent reports.
The president thanked Blinken for the "crucial package" of $61 billion in U.S. aid passed by Congress in April. While this decision unblocked the flow of American assistance after six months of delays, it will likely still take some time before the effects are felt on the battlefield.
"A big appreciation from Ukrainians to Americans for this," Zelensky said.
The president stressed that Kyiv hopes to see the U.S. assistance arriving as soon as possible, Ukrinform reported.
Ukraine's head of state said that Ukrainian defenders went through a "tough period" in the east of the country. Russian forces leveraged Ukraine's ammunition shortages, compounded by the lack of U.S. aid, and ramped up pressure along the front.
In February, Russian forces captured Avdiivka, a key front-line city in Donetsk Oblast, and subsequently shifted focus toward the town of Chasiv Yar. Most recently, Moscow's troops launched new offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast.
In talks with Blinken, Zelensky also underscored the need for air defenses, saying that two Patriot air defense systems are required to defend Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast.
Following their talks, Zelensky said on Telegram that he and Blinken discussed the situation on the battlefield, further defense cooperation, and preparations for the global peace summit scheduled for mid-June in Switzerland.
