At the turn of the year, Russia massively attacked Ukraine. Air defense systems in particular were missing, said Ukrainian President Zelensky during a visit to Lithuania. The government in Vilnius is planning military aid worth millions for Kiev.
Because of the ongoing heavy Russian air strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called for more weapons aid for defense during his first visit abroad this year. “Air defense systems are number one among the things we lack,” he said in Lithuania after meeting his counterpart Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius.
According to Zelensky, Russia fired at least 500 rockets, cruise missiles and drones into Ukraine over the new year. 70 percent of them were intercepted, he said. Nevertheless, according to Ukrainian information, there were dozens of deaths and injuries as well as extensive damage in the country.
Zelensky: “Putin won’t stop”
There are currently discussions in many countries about the extent and goal of aid to Ukraine. In the USA, the most important supporter, new aid is currently stuck in political disputes in Congress. Zelenskyj said in Vilnius that he felt no pressure from the allies to freeze the war on the existing front.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric must be taken seriously; he wanted to completely occupy Ukraine. And if his country doesn’t hold up, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia or Moldova will be next at risk. Zelensky called for joint resistance against Putin: “He won’t stop as long as we don’t finish him off.”
Lithuania announces 200 million euros for military aid
Nauseda told journalists: “We know how tiring this protracted war is, and we are interested in a complete victory for Ukraine as soon as possible.” According to the Lithuanian president, the country approved a long-term military aid plan worth around 200 million euros. In his and Zelensky’s presence, several agreements were concluded by representatives of the defense industry in both countries.
After the unannounced visit to Lithuania, Zelenskyj also wants to travel to the neighboring Baltic countries of Latvia and Estonia in the coming days. According to his own statements, he wants to thank the three EU and NATO states for their “uncompromising support for Ukraine”.