Ukraine may not have enough anti-aircraft missiles in a month due to the high intensity of shelling, Zelenskyy said.
"There are times when only Patriot or similar can work. And here we have to choose - which object to protect, this city or another city. Today's intensity of the Russians is quite high, we have a reserve of anti-aircraft defense today, but we have to think about what will happen tomorrow. Tomorrow the intensity may continue - and we will not have enough," he said in an interview with Ukrainian TV channels.
Also, according to him, only 10% of the promised F-16s will be delivered to Ukraine this year. At the same time, they will be able to work in connection with air defense.
Kyiv will agree if the US transfers its aid to a credit basis, as proposed by the Republicans, Zelenskyy said.
"There was one senator recently. And he says: Will you agree to loan money? If, for example, they say that the money is credit, or you will not receive it. I answered: What are these elections for, if there is no choice? We will agree to anything - any option," the president said.
Earlier, the American mass media wrote that the idea of "debt aid" at Bankova was recognized as "offensive".
Zelensky supported Macron's proposal that the French military should come to Ukraine to train the Armed Forces.
"I believe that the troops that will train our boys here is much faster than sending brigades there. And also here they have to gain combat experience, on this technique. Because it is one story when you are on this equipment in a peaceful state, and another - on the battlefield. Second: build repair hubs to repair all Western equipment in Ukraine, in certain regions, underground. It works, even some things we already do and see how much faster it is. Some of the equipment that we send for repair, we get back after three months. We are also in favor of the proposal of the initiative to be at the border. How can we refuse? If they offer this and will come, we will only support," said the president.
At the same time, he stated that he cannot publicly call on other countries to send troops into Ukraine.
"I cannot publicly say, 'Armies of the world, come to Ukraine and fight,' because Russia will raise the hype and split the unity of the world," the president said in an interview with Ukrainian TV channels.
"If I take such an initiative, Russia will do everything to stop military aid for us. We have citizens of other states who come to fight for Ukraine, and we will never be against anyone who wants to help us," Zelenskyy added.
According to him, he is not familiar with the details of discussions in the West about the probable introduction of troops into Ukraine.
The main theses of the interview:
- stated that the Russians "raised" the negativity against mobilization in Ukrainian society. Also, they "depicted a picture of events for the West in such a way that the partners are now asking: if you don't want mobilization, why do you need help?"
- repeated that the Russian Federation must be ready to mobilize 300,000 by June 1, and "we must be ready."
- made it clear that it is now difficult to conduct rotations of the Armed Forces:
"Everyone gets tired, they need to be let go. But replacements require the same number of guys with the same experience. And if your reserves are not so powerful, you will not be able to let the guys go. Otherwise, tomorrow you will not have any city, it will be under the occupation of the Russians."
- Kharkiv, according to the president, "is not in danger" from the point of view of the Russian offensive. "Today we defend Kharkiv Oblast with complete confidence," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the construction of fortifications is 92-98% ready in the main directions of the front.
- there are no shells for a counterattack in the Armed Forces, but there are enough of them for defense. Also, Ukraine has increased the production of drones "tenfold".
- there is still no specific list of countries to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland. "But we expect to have 80-100 countries of the world that will be present," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, a meeting with the President of Switzerland will be held in the coming days, after which invitations will be sent to the leaders of the states.
