Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed him about the consequences of this Russian strike and emphasized that defending against ballistic missiles is impossible without a sufficient number of the appropriate interceptors for Patriot systems. Strengthening air defense is Ukraine’s greatest priority right now.

Putin still intends to “vanquish” residential buildings rather than end this war. And this can be countered both through sufficient supplies of anti-ballistic systems and through much faster work to develop Europe’s own anti-ballistic capabilities.

In Dublin, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin, during which the leaders discussed expectations from Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and priority areas of bilateral cooperation.

Russia must be placed in a situation where, apart from peace, it has no other option. We very much hope that support from our partners – in particular from the EU – will remain tangible, timely, and courageous.

A trilateral meeting took place in Dublin following the opening ceremony of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, bringing together President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Council António Costa, and Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin.

European partners must take effective steps and continue applying pressure on Russia to force it to end its war against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in Dublin during the ceremony marking the opening of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The EU has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to be a force that brings more stability, more predictability, and basic respect for human life – the kind of life everyone wants for themselves, their children, and their families.