Zelenskyy orders top military leaders to step up US coordination on air defense deliveries

​​​​​​​By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky to intensify contacts with the US to expedite the delivery of military aid, particularly air defense systems.

“Today, I instructed the Minister of Defense and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to intensify all contacts with the American side. We now have the necessary political statements and decisions, and we need to implement them as soon as possible to protect our people, to protect our positions,” Zelenskyy said in an address.

Highlighting that the supplies are “critical” to saving lives and defending cities and villages, Zelenskyy said he expects tangible results “in the near future” and is preparing formats for new meetings between Ukrainian and US military and political officials this week.

He said the latest military meeting reviewed Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory and efforts to disrupt logistics, especially at “vulnerable places that exist in Russia.”

On the humanitarian front, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working to implement agreements from a second meeting held in Türkiye on prisoner exchanges.

“We are trying to free as many of our people as possible from Russian captivity,” he added.

Ukraine has consistently prioritized strengthening its air defense amid increasing Russian aerial attacks and is counting on continued US support as discussions continue on joint production and expedited procurement.