Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine's allies to fulfill their promises to supply weapons. He made a special appeal for air defense systems, BTA reports.
Zelensky stressed that these weapons are crucial to countering the ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks. He insisted that if timely supplies are not provided, Ukraine will remain vulnerable to terrorist actions by the Russian military.
The president recalled that at the NATO summit in July 2024 and at the meetings of the Contact Group on Ukraine in Ramstein, promises were made that have not yet been fully fulfilled.
"This week marks new strikes, with Russia maintaining its ability to terrorize Ukraine with air strikes every week. In order to be able to defend ourselves and not allow Russia to exercise its air superiority, the fulfillment of these promises by the allies is absolutely necessary," Zelensky said in a message on the "Telegram" platform.
Ukraine repels massive Russian drone attacks
This morning, the Ukrainian armed forces announced that they had managed to shoot down 60 of the 94 drones that Russia launched overnight. Unacceptable damage was caused to the power grid, with about 23,000 households in the southern city of Kherson left without electricity.
At the same time, Zelensky reminded that despite defense efforts, air strikes and missiles by the Russian military still pose one of the main threats to Ukraine.
Possibility of domestic production of air defense weapons
This week, the Ukrainian president said that he had discussed with partners, including the United States, plans to grant Ukraine permission to build air defense and missile technologies on the territory of the country. This, he said, could accelerate the process of strengthening Ukraine's defense potential and provide a new industrial base to counter the Russian aggressor.
Financial Tensions in Germany
At the same time, at the international conference in Riyadh, German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock warned that any reduction in financial assistance to Ukraine from Germany could negatively affect its defense efforts.
Berbock added that Germany is holding parliamentary elections next month, which could lead to challenges for the country's budget, including with regard to aid to Ukraine.