Following a brutal Russian airstrike on a Kharkiv hospital, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plea for advanced Western air defense systems—specifically “Patriot, NASAMS, SAMP/T”—has grown markedly louder and more urgent. He now frames this military aid as the only credible foundation for peace.
Zelensky argued that the world must “compel Moscow to come to the table for genuine negotiations,” but that this cannot be achieved through words alone. He insists that Russia must first be “deprived of the means to continue its war and terror,” a task for which these specific missile systems are essential.
In a savvy diplomatic twist, he linked this military necessity to the recent political success of the Gaza peace plan. By praising President Donald Trump’s achievement, Zelensky is suggesting that the same leadership that brokers peace must also be willing to provide the tools to enforce it. “Only peace through strength can bring results,” he stated.
This message is being delivered in concert with key allies. Zelensky’s strategic discussions with Finnish President Alex Stubb are part of an effort to ensure the international community understands that the demand for weapons is inseparable from the desire for peace.
The list of recent Russian attacks—on Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kirovohrad—serves as Zelensky’s evidence. Each damaged building and injured civilian is another reason why his call for Patriot, NASAMS, and SAMP/T is not just a request, but a desperate and immediate necessity.