Ukraine’s President unexpectedly visited the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday morning where defence ministers from the military alliance are gathering for a meeting.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters upon arrival that the priority for the country was “how to survive during the winter.”

“We are preparing, we are ready. Now we need support from the leaders,” he added, citing air defence systems, artillery and ammunition as critically important.

He said this would allow the country to “just stay each day and defend.”

“It’s not about counteroffensive. Counteroffensive is one direction but you also have to defend because opposite you, Russia, big army of this terrorist,” he added.

Speaking alongside him, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s firm support for the war-torn country “for as long as it takes”.