Zelensky asks G7 leaders for more air defense systems, increased sanctions on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urged leaders at the G7 summit to supply modern air-defense systems to his war-torn nation as it continues to battle Russian forces.

He also encouraged the world leaders to strengthen economic sanctions against Russia.

Zelensky joined the summit, being held Monday in the Bavarian Alps, via videoconference from Ukraine's capital city.

His message arrived as Russian troops assaulted Lysychansk, the single remaining major Ukrainian city in the country's eastern Luhansk province that has not yet fallen to Russian troops.

Members of the summit emphasized their ongoing commitment to Ukraine for "as long as it takes" to defeat the enemy nation. They spoke of plans to exercise a price cap on Russia oil, as well as further raise tariffs on Russian goods.

The U.S. is also preparing to announce the purchase of an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Kyiv.

The missile set, a Norwegian-developed anti-aircraft system, is the same one used by the U.S. to protect the airspace around the White House and U.S. Capitol.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Ukrainian leader's primary request was for increased air defense systems and most of the conversation revolved around how Zelensky sees the course of war playing out.

Zelensky also presented to the leaders the ways in which his government has used the hundreds of billions of aid dollars to "maximize Ukraine's capacity both to resist Russian advances, and to pursue counter-attacks where possible," Sullivan said.