2024-01-12 18:48:58
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hoping for further reinforcement of his country’s air defense in view of the ongoing Russian air strikes. More Western help will come, he said on Friday at a press conference after a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He, in turn, warned the West of weakening support for Kiev. “If (Kremlin leader Vladimir) Putin wins in Ukraine, he won’t stop there.”
At the same time, Zelensky admitted that the country’s current air defense system still had gaps. In addition to Patriot systems, anti-aircraft complexes with other ranges were also missing, he said. In addition, in view of the agreement with London, Zelenskyj was optimistic that there would now be movement in the negotiations on military aid for Ukraine in Washington. “I see it more positively now than in December,” he said. The pressure will be applied until there is a result.
Sunak added: “Our adversaries around the world believe we have neither the patience nor the resources for long wars. So if we hesitate now, we embolden not only Putin, but also his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere.” Britain has pledged 2.5 billion pounds (2.9 billion euros) in military aid to Ukraine this year.
In addition, both countries signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the security sector. In Kiev there was talk of “security guarantees” from London against a future attack. In the document itself, however, the word “guarantee” only appears once – in reference to Ukraine, which guarantees intellectual property protection to Great Britain. London does not undertake to provide military assistance against an attack.
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