“The resilience of the Ukrainian people cannot be an excuse for this war to continue. It must end as soon as possible,” said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Tuesday.
The Kyiv city administration said more than 10,000 people, including nearly 800 children, took refuge in the city’s metro stations on Monday night.
Many of the high-rise buildings that are often hit by drones do not have shelters, so the deep metro system is still the only place people can seek safety as the thudding sounds of air defence systems ring overhead.
President Zelensky said Ukraine had received missiles to repel the overnight attack on Monday, and added they had helped significantly.
But he also emphasised the need for air defence systems was still critical. In a call with reporters, he said Russia was using “far more” ballistic missiles in its attacks and that Moscow’s capacity to produce them had not been dented.
“So far, this has not happened. That is why we need more missiles and more air defence systems,” he said.
A flurry of diplomatic activity in late 2025 gave rise to hope that progress was being made towards a peace deal with Russia.
But on Tuesday Zelensky hinted at concerns that growing tensions between the US and Europe could be detrimental to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. As it stands, Kyiv’s European partners are buying missiles from the US on Ukraine’s behalf.
“When it comes to [protection from] ballistic missiles, for now the key is in the hands of the United States of the America,” he said.
“It is very important that deliveries are timely, that production works, and that partners help us purchase the necessary missiles,” Zelensky stressed. “In other words, a great deal in the security of Ukrainians depends on the unity of Europe and America.”
Additional reporting by Liubov Sholudko.
