The President and the NATO Secretary General Discussed the Expansion of the PURL Initiative and Additional Supplies of Patriot Missiles

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In Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which they paid key attention to strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

The Head of State stressed that Russia has disregarded the efforts of the U.S. side and broken its promise to refrain from strikes on energy and infrastructure during the meetings of negotiating teams.

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"Today, Russia carried out a record strike - a harsh one, no doubt - in terms of the use of ballistic missiles. A record of the worst kind, I'd say. There were 28 cruise missiles, as well as another 43 missiles of various types that approach their targets along a ballistic trajectory and can be intercepted only by Patriot systems," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.

The President noted that today's Russian attack violates all agreements with the United States side and cannot go unanswered.

"Everyone can see the weather - these are the most difficult days, the coldest days of this winter right now - and precisely strikes on infrastructure and, above all, on our energy system, aimed at depriving people of power and heat, depriving people of warmth and causing blackouts, reflect Russia's real attitude toward everything that is happening. We will remain in contact with the American side on this issue, and I expect our partners not to remain silent about what is taking place," the Head of State said.

During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte discussed the prompt delivery of missiles for Patriot systems and the involvement of new partner countries in the PURL initiative, which enables the purchase of scarce U.S. missiles for air defense.

"Against ballistic threats, the most effective systems - you know this - are Patriots. And this means that missiles are needed - more missiles for Patriots. And that deliveries must be fully resourced and prompt. We are working on this. And I am grateful to Mark for the very strong assistance he is providing in this effort. We discussed this today, and I hope we will be able to implement everything we agreed upon," the President noted.

The parties also addressed obtaining licenses in Europe to produce the necessary means of defense, including missiles for U.S. air defense systems, and coordinating efforts with partners to maintain Euro-Atlantic cooperation.

"What is currently in our partners' stockpiles must truly work for defense. What we can produce together - and that is almost everything Europe needs - we must produce to the maximum extent possible. We need to reach this level of cooperation, including through programs such as the SAFE instrument. And, of course, we will continue to coordinate closely to maintain effective relations with America," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

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Mark Rutte emphasized that NATO continues to stand with Ukraine and highlighted support for Ukraine's defense industry through direct investments and joint production projects.

"NATO stands with and supports Ukraine today and in the years to come, not only because we share common values. But because our security is interlinked. We all support your sovereignty, your security, and your pursuit of peace. We all want to see the war come to a just and lasting end, and we are committed to ensuring you have what you need to defend today and secure an enduring peace for the future," the NATO Secretary General stressed.

Mark Rutte underlined that Ukraine must receive reliable security guarantees and military support from its partners.