Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again urged the international community to expedite the provision of additional air defense systems to his country and to begin official talks for Kyiv's accession to the European Union, as well as to invite Ukraine to join NATO. He revealed that he spoke on Sunday evening with the minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, and thanked Congress for passing a new aid package. However, he added that Ukraine is working with all partners to accelerate the delivery of assistance that will allow Kyiv to maintain its positions and disrupt Russian war plans.
In his evening video address on Sunday, Zelensky stated, "We are still waiting for the supplies that were promised to Ukraine... that could change the situation on the battlefield in our favor." He added, "In my conversation with Jeffries, I emphasized the need for Patriot systems as soon as possible."
Regarding EU membership, Zelensky noted that Ukraine has fulfilled all the requirements to begin accession talks, "and now the EU must meet its commitments." He also addressed Ukraine's potential NATO membership, saying that any country sharing the same values and ready to defend them "deserves an invitation to join the alliance."
Zelensky expressed optimism about the prospects for peace, referring to the upcoming peace summit scheduled to be held in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. No invitation has been extended to Russia to attend the summit, with Moscow describing any such meeting as meaningless without its participation.
