Zelensky: Neutralizing Putin's ballistic missiles opens the door to negotiation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an urgent appeal to the new US administration led by Donald Trump and the US Congress, demanding the strengthening of military support for his country through the provision of advanced air defense systems and additional munitions, led by Patriot anti-missile systems. In an official letter seen by Reuters, Zelensky asserted that Russian ballistic missiles are the “last advantage” President Vladimir Putin on the battlefield, stressing that “as long as Putin retains one important advantage in conventional weapons, he will avoid diplomacy.” The Ukrainian president pointed to the recent Russian attack, which included the launch of 30 ballistic missiles, of which Ukrainian forces succeeded in intercepting only 11, reflecting the urgent need to strengthen defense capabilities. He also pointed to Russia's use of Orishnik missiles capable of carrying warheads At the field level, the eastern fronts are witnessing a state of fluctuation in control, as the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the control of two villages in the regions of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukraine carried out drone attacks on the port of Sevastopol in the Crimea and used French-British Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian Major General Andrei Biletsky estimated that the war was entering a “decisive” phase during the six to nine months coming, considering that this period will be the most sensitive for improving the Ukrainian military site before any possible negotiations. Western estimates indicate that the monthly Russian losses are close to 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded. For his part, the Pope expressed deep concern about the "sharp escalation" of the war, stressing that the conflict "does not solve problems and does not enhance security," and pointed out that bombs and missiles "also drop hopes" with Continued destruction of homes and places of worship and civilian casualties.