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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent an unusual joint letter simultaneously addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress, calling for greater American support in countering Russian ballistic missile strikes, and warning that Moscow cannot be considered a sincere partner for diplomacy as long as it continues to rely on missile warfare.
Zelenskyy announced the move in his nightly video address posted to social media, framing the appeal as urgent and exceptional. "It is rare for the leader of another state to address the U.S. president and Congress simultaneously, through a single letter," he said. "But the current situation demands that we act, act immediately, and act effectively. It is important that America hears Ukraine."
The letter was transmitted to relevant institutions in Washington the previous day, Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader also met with military and security officials to discuss the continued prosecution of long-range strike operations against targets inside Russia. He framed these operations as central to Kyiv's strategic posture, arguing that sustained pressure was necessary to impose a tangible cost on Moscow's war effort.
"Our long-range strikes are what is needed to make Russia feel it will have to pay the price with its war losses," Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has pursued a policy of striking Russian territory using domestically produced and Western-supplied long-range systems, targeting fuel depots, air bases, and defense infrastructure. The tactic is designed to stretch Russian logistics and signal that the war carries direct consequences for Russia itself.
Acknowledging that Washington's attention is currently focused on the situation in Iran, Zelenskyy insisted that the war in Europe demanded equal urgency. "We must also stop a very bloody, full-scale war that continues in Europe," he said, drawing a direct link between missile defense and the prospects for meaningful negotiations.
"If we can provide more protection against ballistic missiles, we can make diplomacy useful that much faster," he said. "Russia is not sincere in its interest in diplomacy as long as it relies on missiles."
The remarks reflect Kyiv's longstanding position that any ceasefire or political settlement must be accompanied by concrete security guarantees, not simply a pause in hostilities.
Zelenskyy also noted that a delegation of U.S. lawmakers arrived in Kyiv on the same day, a visit he welcomed as symbolically and practically significant. "It is important that America supports Ukraine and that American representatives see here, in Ukraine, what is happening, the threats, with their own eyes," he said, adding that the visit came "especially after the brutal and intense attack the Russians carried out Sunday night."
The Sunday assault, which Zelenskyy characterized as intense and indiscriminate, added immediacy to his appeal for enhanced air defense cooperation.
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