Zelenskyy presses Black Sea corridor and air defense in New York talks
Zelenskyy discussed Black Sea export corridor security with Erdogan and sought Patriot interceptors and winter support from NATO's Rutte.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held separate meetings in New York on Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, placing Black Sea security and air defense at the center of his diplomatic push.
In his talks with Erdogan, Zelenskyy said the focus was on keeping Ukraine's maritime export corridor running. He framed the issue as one of Russian intent, writing after the meeting that Moscow need only be willing to halt attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure for Kyiv to reciprocate by stopping its own long-range strikes.
The corridor has become a critical outlet for Ukrainian agricultural and other exports, and its continued operation has depended on security arrangements in the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy's meeting with Rutte turned to Ukraine's air defense needs. He called for additional Patriot interceptors and a support package aimed at getting the country through the coming winter.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy described Patriot systems as Ukraine's only effective shield against ballistic missiles, saying the interceptors are required almost daily.
The meetings took place on the margins of the annual United Nations gathering, where Zelenskyy is seeking to sustain international backing for Ukraine's military and economic needs.