NATO MUST CHOOSE 'WHETHER WE INDEED ARE ALLIES': UKRAINE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY

NEW DELHI: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday called upon Nato to decide whether it stands as an ally to Kyiv, urging the alliance's defense ministers to increase their supply of weapons to Ukraine's struggling forces.

His appeal came shortly after Russia launched a series of deadly drone and missile attacks across the country, including a barrage in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region that claimed the lives of at least eight people, including two children. Despite the challenges, Ukraine reported shooting down a long-range Russian bomber for the first time.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a safe Ukrainian sky, stating that it depends on Nato's choice to be a true ally.

"Our sky must become safe again," Zelenskyy told a gathering of Nato defence ministers via video link.

"It depends fully on your choice," he said, telling the meeting in Brussels that their alliance faced a choice over "whether we indeed are allies".

He compared the situation to Western efforts in defending Israel from recent Iranian aerial attacks, suggesting that more could be done to help Ukraine counter Russian bombardments.

"It is obvious that now, while Russia has air advantage and can rely on its drone and rocket terror, our capabilities on the ground, unfortunately, are limited," he said.

Earlier, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg announced that the bloc had agreed to provide Ukraine with more weapons, including air defenses, and expected new announcements on air defense capabilities for Ukraine soon.

Zelenskyy called for at least seven more Patriots or similar air defense systems, emphasizing their potential to save lives and change the situation on the ground. He also urged the US House of Representatives to pass a long-delayed $61 billion military aid package, stating that Ukraine cannot wait for decisions to be made this year.

The Russian attacks have caused significant damage and loss of life, with missile strikes hitting housing blocks, train facilities, and food export terminals at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba highlighted the need to protect children from air strikes in modern Europe, calling for a reliable air shield. Despite the challenges, Ukraine claimed to have shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, which crashed in Russia's Stavropol region, with at least one crew member reported dead.