President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for additional air defence capabilities to protect Ukraine's vital grain export routes and regions adjacent to Russia during an international summit on food security held in Kyiv on November 25.
Addressing the Grain from Ukraine summit, attended by high-ranking officials from European countries including Swiss President Alain Berset and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, President Zelensky acknowledged the existing deficit in air defence.
The President remarks came in the wake of a significant drone attack by Russia, where 75 drones targeted Ukraine overnight, marking the largest drone assault of the ongoing conflict. The joint press conference featuring the three leaders was abruptly interrupted by an air raid siren.
To ensure the security of cargo ships, President Zelensky announced that foreign partners would supply Ukraine with vessels to accompany convoys travelling from Ukrainian ports. He stated,
I have agreements with several countries about the powerful accompaniment of convoys by Ukrainians, but using (foreign) equipment.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support in a letter shared on the social media platform X. She pledged €50 mn from the Commission for "quick repairs and upgrades of infrastructure in Ukraine's ports."
As a major grain exporter, Ukraine has been utilizing unilateral corridors through the Black Sea for grain shipments following Russia's withdrawal from a UN-brokered agreement in July, which allowed passage for grain ships through their blockade.
Regarding the recent protests by Polish and Slovak truckers that disrupted Ukraine's road-based cargo supply, President Zelensky attributed the issue to the internal politics of the neighbouring countries. He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved with time, stating,
I believe that there are difficulties on the border first and foremost because of certain political steps by our neighbours.
The Ukrainian President expressed optimism that providing "a bit of time" for neighbouring countries to address the dispute would lead to its resolution.
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