Brussels: Ukraine's Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, urging further air defense support as Russian missile and drone strikes continue. Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Rutte for his leadership and support, and provided updates on battlefield developments and Ukraine's priority defense needs.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions primarily focused on enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Shmyhal emphasized the necessity of strengthening air defense to counter Russia's missile and drone attacks. He highlighted the need for additional air defense systems and interceptors, noting that the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative is crucial for ensuring stable ammunition and equipment supplies.

Shmyhal also pointed out Ukraine's ongoing efforts to align its defense sector with NATO standards and its progress in joint projects with partners. The PURL initiative, a US-NATO program, enables European and Canadian NATO member states to finance the acquisition of American-made weapons for Ukraine.