Ukrainian Pres. demands air-defense systems, financial aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded on Tuesday more air defense systems to intercept Russian attacks and financial aid to rebuild infrastructure. During the international Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024), Zelensky said that his country needs more air-defense systems, specifically "seven of the Patriot systems" to intercept Russian missiles and protect Ukrainian cities. Russia is winning the air battle, said Zelensky, backing his country's need of protection from Russia's destructive fighter jets. Zelensky insisted that what would force President Vladimir Putin to consider negotiations and achieving a "just ceasefire" is for Russia to lose the air battle. On his part, Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz seconded Zelensky's statements emphasizing Ukraine's need to protect itself and its air space. He pledged that his country would provide long-term, massive, all-round support to help rebuild Ukraine. The Russian forces destroyed 80 percent of the energy sector, especially the heating secto r, according to Zelensky. The international Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024) commenced June 11th in Berlin, with around 2000 representatives from 75 countries and is set to continue for two days. Source: Kuwait News Agency