President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in Pryluky on 8 October that strengthening air defences and Ukraine\u2019s air superiority could force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to return to peace talks. He called on the US to expand Ukraine\u2019s air defence capabilities and announced that talks were underway with partners regarding new air defence packages.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n Zelensky<\/strong> He said that Ukraine, above all, needs defence capabilities to counter Russian missiles, drones and aircraft. In his view, Russia losing its air superiority would deprive it of one of its key instruments of military pressure on Ukraine.<\/p>\n \u00abHelp us protect the skies and dominate them. And then Putin<\/strong> will sit down at the negotiating table<\/em>\u00bb, said the president. As an example of the capabilities of Western technology in the struggle for control of airspace, he cited Israel\u2019s military operations against Iran.<\/p>\n Ukrainian diplomats have identified the countries that possess the necessary equipment to strengthen air defences, the Head of State said. The government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the presidential team are working on potential agreements; Mr Zelenskyy is personally involved in this work.<\/p>\n The day before, the President emphasised the need for a regular supply of anti-aircraft missiles. According to him, during the latest large-scale attack, Ukrainian forces shot down 44 missiles and neutralised 117 attack drones. He described countering ballistic missiles as particularly challenging.<\/p>\n Separately, the president urged partners not to delay in providing assistance, mentioning the possible emergence in Russia of an alternative to Starlink satellite communications, backed by China.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy had previously stated that the creation of the Russian network \u00abDawn<\/a>\u00bb, according to Ukrainian sources, Chinese companies are involved. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said that he had asked the US President Donald Trump<\/strong> to impose sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies involved in the project. The President described the possible launch of the network by the end of 2026 or early 2027 as a probable, rather than a confirmed, date.<\/p>\n\n
Loss of control in the air as a factor putting pressure on the Kremlin<\/h2>\n
The government and the diplomatic service are involved in the negotiations on additional air defence systems<\/h2>\n
Zelenskyy issued a warning regarding the \u00abRassvet\u00bb satellite network\u00bb<\/h2>\n
The statements were made following a missile strike on a residential building in Pryluky<\/h2>\n