Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kiev on Thursday for more air defense systems to counter “Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure” planned for the winter.
“The Secretary General agreed to make efforts to help us” and “mobilize NATO members,” Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Stoltenberg, quoted by the French agency AFP.
“We must get through this winter together to protect our energy infrastructure and the lives of our fellow citizens,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Stoltenberg’s unannounced visit to Kiev comes as Ukrainian forces carry out an offensive against Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform said Zelensky and Stoltenberg discussed all basic defense issues that require attention, the situation on the battlefield and the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces.
“I am glad that we had a meaningful conversation,” Zelensky said, expressing his belief that Ukraine “will be able to continue to put pressure” on the Russian army, which invaded the country on February 24, 2022.
Source: DN
