Thanks to Germany

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck during their meeting in Kiev.

(Bild: APA/AFP/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS)

Following Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck's visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has thanked Germany for its continued support for his country.

"We appreciate Germany's leadership role, which not only helps us in Ukraine to protect lives, but the whole of Europe itself - to preserve the Europe that knows how to live peacefully, knows the law and knows how to take care of people," said Zelenskyi on Thursday.

In his daily video address, he announced that the conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine planned for June in Berlin would primarily focus on bilateral projects in the arms and energy sectors.

The Ukrainian president said that he had discussed the situation on the front and the needs, particularly in terms of air defense, with Habeck. In a separate entry on Telegram, he also praised the German government's decision to deploy another Patriot air defense system. Ukraine is suffering badly from Russian attacks using drones, missiles and glide bombs.

NATO considers Patriot delivery to Kiev justifiable
In the view of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, there is no reasonable reason for other NATO states to refuse Ukraine's request for additional Patriot air defense missile systems. The SPD politician said on Thursday evening after the EU summit in Brussels that NATO had also made it very clear that the delivery of additional systems was justifiable in order to provide Ukraine with better protection against Russian air attacks.

He had once again used the opportunity at the summit meeting to promote further deliveries in many discussions. According to Scholz, Ukraine has specifically asked for seven additional Patriot systems. After Germany had already promised one, it was now hoped that six more would be found in other NATO countries, he explained.

According to information provided by Selenskyj at the beginning of April, 25 Patriot air defense missile systems, each with six to eight launchers or comparable equipment, would be needed to fully protect Ukrainian airspace. However, seven additional systems would be sufficient to secure the most important locations.

Armaments production on the rise
Despite the increasing problems at the front due to the shortage of weapons and ammunition, Selensky spread optimism in his video message. The production of Ukrainian Bohdana artillery systems has been increased to ten units per month. "That is a good result." Overall, arms production has also increased significantly, especially in the production of drones and ammunition, said the President. Ukraine has been fending off a large-scale Russian invasion for more than two years. However, the country is heavily dependent on Western military aid.