Zelenskyy thanks US, Germany for air defence, hails new support packages

Returning from Munich, President Zelenskyy thanked the US and Germany for air defence aid. He announced new support packages, a joint drone production line with Germany, and upcoming talks on new energy packages to counter Russian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (local time) thanked the United States and Germany for support to Kyiv's air defence system amid the war against Russia. After returning from the Munich Security Conference, in a video message to Ukrainians, Zelenskyy hailed the drone production line in collaboration with Germany. He added that Kyiv expects to hold meetings with world leaders on new energy packages.

New Defence and Energy Support

The Ukrainian President said, "I am back in Kyiv after two intense days at the Munich Security Conference. There were many meetings, but most importantly, there will be new support packages for Ukraine. The key priority is missiles for air defence, for protection against ballistic missiles. This is why we discussed it in Munich, also with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We hope the agreements will work as needed. Thanks to Germany, we have a new strike drone production line, and will continue to expand these efforts of joint development, joint production, pan-European programs and financial instruments."

"Next week, we expect meetings and work aimed at new energy packages. This concerns both recovery after strikes and necessary equipment," he added in the video message posted on X.

Zelenskyy Urges Public to Heed Air Raid Alerts

Furthermore, he asked the public to heed air raid alerts. "Several cold days lie ahead, and everyone has already seen how the Russians exploit this. Please take care of yourselves and heed air raid alerts. We are in constant contact with all partners, emphasising that each such threat only worsens the prospects for ending the war," Zelenskyy said.

International Cooperation and Developments

In Munich, Zelenskyy had unveiled the German-Ukrainian joint venture for producing drones for the Ukrainian Army. In an X post, he said the drone line is "battle-tested and powered by AI."

The United Kingdom also announced a new air defence package worth over Euro 500 million for Ukraine. This comes in the backdrop of a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the US, which is expected be held in Geneva on February 17-18.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)