Ukraine urgently needs assistance to halt Russian aggression, with European Union countries urged to take a firmer stance, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a special session of the European Council.
"We all now need to outmaneuver Putin in our determination – so that this war begins to finally move towards just end," he said.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the decision to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles and air defense systems.
The president reported that Russia has already destroyed almost all of Ukraine's thermal power generation.
"Dams and equipment of hydroelectric power plants, as well as gas infrastructure are under terrorist attacks. Russia is not giving up on radiation blackmail and, in particular, continues to brutally play with the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We do not rule out that the infrastructure of our other nuclear power plants and distribution networks are also under threat from Russian terror," he said.
According to him, this can only be stopped by air defense systems like Patriot, IRIS-T, SAMP/T, NASAMS. "Systems that you have. They are needed in Ukraine right now – needed to stop Putin from relying on terrorist methods. And this is your security need as well," he added.
"The greater our striking capabilities, the sooner Russian occupiers will be forced to leave the sovereign territory of Ukraine. And thus – will be forced to leave each of their neighbors and entire Europe in peace," Zelenskyy said
Support for Ukraine
According to KMIS surveys, in February 2024, the majority of Ukrainians (57%) believe that the most crucial factor for success in the war with Russia is proper Western support in terms of arms, finances, and sanctions.
Moreover, in February 2024, a relative majority of Ukrainians (49%) believe that the West continues to support Ukraine to the best of its abilities. However, 44% believe that the West is becoming tired of Ukraine, its support is weak, and the West would like Ukraine to make concessions to Russia.