Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Discusses Air Defence with Chancellor Scholz
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a pivotal conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding the enhancement of Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities. Germany has emerged as one of the foremost European suppliers of military assistance to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
During the discussion, Zelenskyy expressed, “We have now discussed the delivery of another IRIS-T system as well as future work on the development of our air shield.” He emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts, stating, “We have also discussed the Ramstein format, a collaboration that has greatly benefited Ukraine and all our partners. It is our collective strength.”
The Ramstein format, also known as the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, comprises an extensive alliance of 57 countries committed to bolstering Ukraine’s defense in response to Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy conveyed his profound gratitude, saying, “Ukraine is grateful to all our partners who help us with anti-missile and air-defence systems,” further highlighting Kyiv’s persistent efforts to augment the supply of such systems from its allies. He articulated a bold vision, stating, “The strategic goal is to reach a practical level of cooperation with our partners that will enable us to produce the air-defence and anti-missile systems we need here in Ukraine.”
In a troubling development, Moscow launched a significant assault on Kyiv on the same day, marking the first major attack in 73 days, employing a combination of missiles and drones. According to the Ukrainian air force, eight regions across Ukraine faced attacks, with Russia firing a total of six ballistic and cruise missiles alongside 90 drones.
Zelenskyy addressed the nation in his daily video message, stating, “Every night and every day, we are shooting down Russian shaheds and missiles. This morning, a Russian ballistic missile was shot down. This is significant.” In the midst of these ongoing hostilities, reports have emerged indicating that Ukraine’s military forces have successfully maintained control over the city of Kupiansk, halting Russian advances. Kupiansk was initially seized by Russia in February 2022 but was reclaimed by Ukrainian forces several months later.
