Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with the US and other allies to send
Ukraine Patriot missiles after Washington approved a $95bn aid package for Kyiv
to fight the Russian invasion.
“We urgently need Patriot systems
and missiles for them," he told the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, a coalition of about 50
countries gathering virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting.
"This is what can and should save lives right now."
Earlier, Ukraine withdrew its American-made Abrams
battle tanks from the frontline over concerns they can be easily detected and
targeted by Russian drones.
Kyiv has lost five of the 31 Abrams tanks given to
it by the US to Russian attacks since October last year. Ukraine had engaged in a months-long campaign
arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10m apiece, were vital to its ability
to breach Russian lines.
The US is expected to announce that it will provide
another $6bn in long-term military aid to Ukraine, US officials said, adding
that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defence systems.