Zelensky says more US aid coming on return from NATO summit

Further military assistance to Ukraine is on the way, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday following his return to the country from last week's NATO summit in Washington.

Concrete agreements had been struck aimed at boosting Ukraine's defence capacities, including weapons for troops and support for the country's armaments industry, he posted on X. Zelensky mentioned Patriot and other air defence systems, but did not provide details.

Russian forces had launched more than 700 glide bombs, 170 aerial drones of various types and almost 80 missiles at Ukrainian targets over the past week alone, he said.

He expressed his gratitude to all those helping to deliver defence systems to Ukraine, while calling for yet more air defence systems. Zelensky published a video of the destruction and deaths caused to back up his call.

He also announced further security agreements with the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Ireland, where he stopped off on his return trip. Zelensky has recently signed agreements of this kind with Poland, Luxembourg and Romania. The agreements are aimed at bridging the period until Ukraine can join NATO.

Following meetings with US President Joe Biden and other US politicians, Zelensky plans to meet regional leaders in Ukraine to boost cooperation. "Healthcare, shelters, defence industries, etc. The United States is ready to help at all these levels," he said.

And he repeated his condemnation of the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump at an election campaign rally.

"A heinous crime. One that can only be condemned. And which shows how serious the global challenges to democracy are right now," Zelensky said, while adding that he was confident the US would overcome them.