The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has sent a letter to his US counterpart, Donald Trump, and to the United States Congress to request an increase in the supply of Patriot missile systems, in a context of growing scarcity of weaponry in Kyiv to counter Russian attacks on its territory.
In his nightly address, broadcast on his official social media account, Zelensky stressed that "It is quite rare for the leader of another state to simultaneously address the President and Congress of the United States with a letter, but the current situation requires action, rapid and effective action."
The head of the Ukrainian state also emphasized that it is "important" for the United States to heed Ukraine's demands. "We understand that much of the world's attention is currently focused on the war in Iran, but the war here in Europe must also come to an end, a very bloody war that is already in its fifth year on a full scale," he stated.
The letter, released by several Ukrainian media outlets, indicates that anti-aircraft missile shipments under the PURL program – NATO's initiative that allows European countries to acquire US weaponry for Ukraine's military defense – are insufficient to counter Russian bombings.
"For us, for a country fighting for its survival, there is nothing more painful than seeing Patriot batteries without loaded missiles. I ask for your help in protecting Ukraine's airspace from Russian missiles," Zelensky stated in the letter, drafted to coincide with Memorial Day and released this Wednesday.
This request comes after the latest wave of Russian attacks against the capital, Kyiv, in retaliation for the more than 20 deaths registered as a result of a Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in an area occupied by Russia in Luhansk.