Zelensky, who participated in this meeting by videoconference, stressed that "the fate of the world" is at stake in the war in Ukraine and "everything depends on the speed" of action by Kyiv and its allies.

The Ukrainian leader admitted that Russia managed to "take the initiative" on the battlefield during the months that the United States Congress took to approve the latest aid package, but sees room not only to stabilize the combat front, but also for Ukrainian forces to regain ground.

To this end, he called for more artillery equipment and long-range missiles, so that "no part of the occupied territory of Ukraine is safe for occupation", as well as to accelerate the delivery of fighter jets such as the American F-16s.

Zelensky said he also expects to receive more anti-aircraft defense systems, arguing that Russia has launched more than 9,000 guided projectiles this year alone.

"At least seven Patriots are needed for our cities to be safe. You have these systems and they can really change the situation", he stressed, without making this request to any specific country.

This week, the Foreign and Defense Ministers of the European Union discussed the possible transfer of these systems, although no agreement has been reached.

For his part, the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, assumed on behalf of all the allies the "sense of urgency" that Zelensky appeals to, highlighting the aid package approved on Tuesday by the US Congress after months of divisions in the House of Representatives.

Austin announced a new batch of equipment valued at one billion dollars (936 million euros) and which includes ammunition for the HIMARS defense systems.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "thought he would bend Ukraine" and that "Ukrainians would not fight for their democracy", but "he was wrong", according to the head of the Pentagon, who recalled that Kyiv's allied countries have provided more than 800 tanks, over 70 medium and long-range anti-aircraft defense systems in the last two years and tens of thousands of anti-tank missiles, among other weapons.

The F-16s will also "start arriving" this year, according to Austin, who assessed part of the commitments made by European countries as the donation of an additional Patriot system by Germany or the "extraordinary initiative" led by the Czech Republic to strengthen the sending of artillery ammunition.

"All this demonstrates our common commitment to Ukraine's success on the battlefield", but "nothing should be taken for granted", he warned.

In this sense, the US Secretary of Defense stressed that Russia continues to launch "increasingly fierce" attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian targets, which requires new commitments to Kyiv.

The current "top priority", he noted, is to provide Ukraine with more systems with which it can repel attacks.

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