Ukraine: The Ukrainian President, Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has stated at an international summit on food security in Kyiv that Ukraine needs more air defences to protect its grain export routes as well as regions bordering Russia.
“There is a deficit of air defence – that is no secret,” Mr. Zelenskyy told the Grain from Ukraine summit, which was attended by senior officials from European countries, including Mr. Alain Berset, Swiss President, and Ms. Ingrida Simonyte, Lithuanian Prime Minister.
Mr. Zelenskyy was speaking following Russia’s largest drone attack of the war, which saw 75 drones attack Ukraine over the course of the night.
Another air raid siren interrupted the three leaders’ joint media conference, as per the statement.
In order to ensure the security of cargo ship convoys leaving Ukrainian ports, Mr. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would receive vessels from its international allies.
“I have agreements with several countries about powerful accompaniment of convoys by Ukrainians, but using (foreign) equipment,” the President said.
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, also expressed support for Mr. Zelenskyy in a letter shared on social media platform X. The letter stated that the Commission would provide 50 million euros for “quick repairs and upgrades of infrastructure in Ukraine’s ports.”
According to the president of Ukraine, progress has been made in increasing the country’s production capacity and obtaining new supplies from partners to address its shortage of air defence.
“As of today, I can’t say details what we are making and where, but there is progress,” Mr. Zelenskyy added.
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