Referreport
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj praised NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Kiev as “groundbreaking” just two days after he took office. “Now it’s about filling this priority with decisions,” said Zelensky in his evening video address. Above all, all agreements with Ukraine’s partners to support his country’s defense must be fully implemented, Zelensky emphasized, alluding to commitments that have not yet been fulfilled or implemented.
“The front line must be strengthened,” said Zelensky, one of the priorities. In addition, the partners would have to agree to Kiev’s demand for permission to use long-range weapons against military targets on Russian territory. “Everyone in the alliance is clear about the need,” the president said.
Zelensky also cited air defense as another priority. Despite much progress in combating Russian missiles and drones, a complete protective shield has not yet been put in place. Zelenskyj criticized the lack of decisions by NATO neighbors to jointly defend against Russian air attacks
“What works in the skies of the Middle East and helps defend Israel can also work in the skies of our part of Europe – Ukraine – and helps save lives,” Zelensky said. “Today we spoke to Mark Rutte about this, among other things, and we will continue to convince all our partners what needs to be implemented – what is necessary for effective protection of the airspace.”
Rutte and Zelensky also discussed the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO. For Ukraine, it is not just about strength, but rather about being able to “reliably eliminate the old and criminal Russian temptation to disrupt the order of life in Europe” by joining the Euro-Atlantic alliance. Geopolitical certainty is an extraordinary value for Ukraine and for all of Europe and a reliable basis for peace.
During a joint appearance with Zelensky, Rutte said it was important that he visit Kiev at the beginning of his mandate “to make it clear to all observers” that NATO is on Ukraine’s side. Rutte also emphasized that the country is closer to the alliance than ever before. Ukraine will continue on this path until it becomes a member of NATO.
Russians continue attacks in eastern Ukraine
Meanwhile, Russian troops continued their attacks against Ukrainian defense lines in the east of the country. The focus of the heaviest fighting was once again the Pokrovsk region on the edge of the Donbass. A total of 20 Russian attacks were repelled at various points during the day, the General Staff in Kiev said in its evening situation report.
The warring parties also fought bitter battles near Kurachowe. According to Ukrainian reports, 18 Russian attacks were repelled on this section of the front. The information could not be independently verified.
Injured in the border region of Sumy
Meanwhile, eight people were injured in a Russian drone attack on Thursday in the Sumy region near the border in northeastern Ukraine. The regional military administration announced this on Telegram. There was also an air alert in large parts of the country on Friday night and the Ukrainian air defense was active. There were reports of explosions. There was initially no information about victims or damage during the night.
Fire in Voronezh region of Russia
According to official reports, air defense shot down several Ukrainian drones during the night in the Russian region of Voronezh near the border. One of them landed on the site of an oil depot, the region’s governor, Alexander Gusev, said on Telegram. A fire broke out in an empty tank. According to initial information, there were no injuries. Voronezh has been the target of Ukrainian drone attacks several times in recent days. The information provided by both warring parties cannot be independently verified.
Ukrainian wartime arms display
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is now looking for foreign investors for the country’s defense industry. For this purpose, a special arms show for interested parties from abroad was organized at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, the Ukrinform agency reported. Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov presented a number of Ukrainian weapons whose effectiveness has already been proven on the battlefield.
In addition to an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery system as well as unmanned kamikaze vehicles and mine clearing vehicles were also shown. The various drones that have been used in large numbers by the Ukrainian military against targets in Russia for some time were also part of the arms display.
Klimenkov emphasized the importance of foreign investment in the Ukrainian defense industry. “We have unique developments that have already been tested in combat and refined by the developers to a certain standard,” he said.
According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has already invested $4 billion (3.6 billion euros) in the defense industry and hopes to attract even more investment from international partners.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian war of aggression for over two and a half years. The country is receiving massive support from Western partners, but is also developing its own weapons.
Source: German