Zelensky urges Trump and Congress to address air defense shortage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent an urgent letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress regarding critical shortages of air defense equipment, according to Zelensky's communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn. Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishina also sent the letter to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers.

In his evening address, Zelensky explained the reasoning behind the correspondence. "This week, I prepared a special letter – a letter addressed to the President of the United States and to Congress. And yesterday, the letter was officially delivered to the institutions in Washington," Zelensky said. He noted that it is uncommon for a foreign leader to address both the U.S. President and Congress simultaneously with a letter, but stressed that the current situation demands urgent action.

"It is quite rare for the leader of another state to address both the President and Congress of the United States simultaneously with a letter. But the situation now requires action, swift and effective action. It is important that America hear Ukraine," Zelensky stated.

The letter comes amid ongoing Russian military operations against Ukraine. During a Russian attack on May 24, 92 people were injured and three were killed in Kyiv. Approximately 300 structures were damaged in the city, including nearly 150 residential buildings. Russia used 90 missiles and 600 unmanned aerial vehicles in that single attack.

Ukrainian air defense officials have previously raised concerns about the country's capacity to counter Russian drone operations. Pavel Yelizarov, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force for air defense development, stated that the country's air defense forces were finding it increasingly difficult to counter Russian unmanned aerial vehicles amid escalating drone swarms being launched. Colonel Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force, also indicated that Ukraine faces a shortage of air defense systems.

Zelensky acknowledged that global attention is currently focused on other conflicts. "Ukraine understands much of the world's attention is currently focused on the war in Iran. But the war here in Europe must also be brought to an end – a very bloody war that is already in its fifth year at full scale," he said. He emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine with necessary resources to address the ongoing conflict.