Zelensky seeks billions of euros in defence, reconstruction of Ukraine

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says he expects to provide billions of euros from allied countries for the protection of Ukraine and for the reconstruction of his post-war country. He made those comments on June 11th at the Ukraine Regeneration Conference in Berlin.

Germany is the host of the two-day conference to plan Ukraine's reconstruction after the end of the war promoted by the Russian conqueror, which resulted in which parts of Ukraine have collapsed.

2,000 people from politics, business, and other fields are participating in this conference.

“We will leave this conference with agreements for billions of euros on our defence, regarding the production of weapons and military equipment in Ukraine, as well as for our energy, to repair and build a new and more modern energy system”, Zelensky said at the two-day conference that started in the German capital on 11 June.

Zelensky highlighted Russian attacks on Ukrainian power facilities, adding that by last winter half the country's capacity for electricity production has been destroyed.

As a consequence of Russian attacks with fears and rockets, 9 ggavat capacity has already been destroyed. The highest electricity consumption last winter was 18 gigaves. So half of it no longer exists”, Zelensky said.

Consistent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid have forced Kiev to impose electricity reductions throughout the country.

Zelensky called on Kiev allies to supply Ukraine with more anti-aircraft, saying it is “answer” for halting Russia's progress in war and ensuring lasting peace.

Russia's greatest strategic priority towards Ukraine is superiority in the sky. It's missile terror and bombs that help Russian troops move forward on the battlefield”, Zelensky stressed, adding “the air shield is the solution”.

In a communiqué issued prior to the conference, German Ministry for Development Minister Svenja Schulze said that even during the present wartime, Ukraine needs to build houses, water pipelines, hospitals and energy grid”.

Germany is Kiev's second largest military supplier.

The Berlin conference is held before the G7 meeting in Italy on 13-14 June, where Ukraine will be one of the main topics where these countries will talk about how to use benefits from Russian frozen assets in the West to help Kiev financially.

After that meeting, more than 90 countries and organisations will be represented at a peace summit in Switzerland at the weekend, even though Russia was not invited and China will not attend.

During a meeting in Latvia on June 11th, NATO Eastern Wing leaders said they would maintain the most co-ordinated “position for Ukraine when it comes to its support.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continued attacks in Ukraine on June 11th. Ukrainian authorities said at least five people were injured by the blasts in the town of Konstantinivoka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donjeck. / REL/