The US is to send an advanced long-range missile defense system to Ukraine as President Zelensky uses a G7 video address to ask for more heavy weapons to stem heavy Russian bombardment

• Zelensky will warn G7 leaders Monday that they cannot delay weapons deliveries
• His forces are outgunned by Russian troops in the east of Ukraine 
• It also emerged that the U.S. has bought an advanced missile defense system 
• The Norwegian NASAMS would provide medium to long-range defense

The U.S. is to announce that it has bought an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Ukraine, according to several reports, as President Volodomyr Zelensky continues to urge more help for his country as it battles heavy Russian attacks in the Donbas region.

Zelensky was expected to use a video address to G7 leaders meeting in Germany to repeat his warnings that delays in delivering military aid would only embolden Russia in its attacks. 

At the same time CNN and the Associated Press reported that the U.S. could announce this week that it has bought a missile defense system for Ukraine. 

A source said NASAMS, a Norwegian-developed anti-aircraft system, would provide medium- to long-range defense.

It is the same system used to protect airspace in sensitive sites in the U.S., such as the White House and the U.S. Capitol in Washington. 

G7 leaders met in Germany on Monday morning to hear from Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky on the next steps to pushing back on Russia’s invasion

Zelensky was expected to demand more help from G7 leaders as his country comes under heavy bombardment from Russian forces in the east

Ukrainian troops would have to be trained in its use before it could be deployed. 

The latest versions of the system have been in service since 2007, and couples advanced radar with 12 rocket launches to destroy aircraft, helicopters, drones and missiles around high-value targets.

The details emerged at a crucial time in the conflict. 

After repelling Russian forces advancing on the capital Kyiv in the early days of the war, Ukraine has warned that the tables have turned.

Officers say they are struggling to compete with Russia’s long range firepower in the eastern Donbas region. 

In recent days Russia has captured Severodonetsk and is now targeting Lysychansk.

And Russia hit Kyiv with missiles early Sunday, in a strike that coincided with the start of the G7 summit. 

Soon after Zelensky used his daily video address to warn that delays in arms deliveries was ‘an invitation to Russia to strike again and again.’

The Kyiv strikes, he said, showed the urgency required. 

‘Part of the missiles were shot down. But only part,’ he said. ‘We need a powerful air defense – modern, fully effective. Which can ensure complete protection against these missiles. 

‘We talk about this every day with our partners. There are already some agreements. And partners need to move faster if they are really partners, not observers.’

– Rescuers and firefighters work in a damaged residential building, hit by Russian missiles in Kyiv on June 26, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

L to R: Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi, European Union Council Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, French President Emanuel Macron and European Union Council President Charles Michel pose for a group photo on the first day of the three-day G7

The war has topped the agenda of G7 leaders meeting in Germany. Monday will bring fresh sanctions, according to a senior  

The war in Ukraine is top of the G7 agenda and nations are expected to promise further military support for Kyiv and more economic pressure on Moscow.

A senior Biden administration official said the leaders were close to agreeing to impose a price cap on Russian oil. 

‘The goal here is to starve Russia, starve Putin as his main source of cash and forced down the price of Russian oil to help blunt the impact of Putin’s war at the pump,’ said the official.

More U.S. sanctions on Russian defense-related companies and individuals will be announced on Tuesday, said the official.

Last week the U.S. announced it was sending another $450 million in military aid to Ukraine. 

The package includes more medium-range rocket systems – known as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems – to help Ukraine in what has now become a war fought at distance with artillery and missiles. 

The Pentagon said it also included 18 tactical vehicles to tow howitzers, 18 patrol boats, thousands of machine guns, grenade launchers and rounds of ammunition.

The U.S. has committed more than $6 billion in security aid since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. 

Clockwise from left: Italy’s Mario Draghi, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Joe Biden, Mr Johnson, Japan’s Fumio Kishida, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel

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