Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will call on allies to strengthen his country’s air defense systems at a key meeting in Germany this week.
The meeting, hosted at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, will bring together representatives from dozens of partner nations. Scheduled for Thursday, it is set to focus on Ukraine’s ongoing need for military assistance in its defense against Russia.
“Strengthening our air defense against missiles, guided bombs, and Russian aviation remains a priority. We will discuss this with our allies and continue convincing them to provide the necessary support,” Zelensky said in his address.
U.S. Support and Transition Concerns
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will attend the meeting, which was initially slated for October but was postponed due to Hurricane Milton’s impact in the United States. The Biden administration, in its final weeks, is reportedly pushing to deliver as much military aid to Ukraine as possible before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Trump, known for his assertive and unpredictable approach, has questioned continued U.S. military support for Ukraine. His campaign claims that he could end the war within a day have raised uncertainty about America’s future role as Kyiv’s largest military backer.
Russia and North Korea’s Losses
Zelensky also highlighted recent battlefield developments, noting significant losses for Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk region.
“Over the past two days, near the village of Mahnovka in the Kursk region, Russian forces lost nearly an entire battalion of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroopers,” Zelensky stated.
Despite such victories, Ukraine continues to face challenges. Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory and is gradually advancing in the eastern regions, underscoring Kyiv’s critical need for sustained Western support.
