Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect grain corridor

Published November 26,2023

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned his nation wants extra air protection techniques with a view to defend the grain hall that has been operational since Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July.

“We still need a very specific number of systems with a very specific name. The request has been made. We have a positive response when these systems start to protect that region. Because both the corridor and the people there are important,” Zelenskyy mentioned at a press briefing following the “Grain From Ukraine” summit in Kyiv on Saturday.

Expressing the grain hall continued to function regardless of the challenges, Zelenskyy mentioned Russia has little affect over the hall.

“We have a clear corridor and cooperation for its use with Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye. We have agreements with the United Kingdom, involved in insuring this corridor,” he added.

Ukraine has an settlement with a number of states for the escort of vessels by Ukrainian boats, he mentioned, including that the nation is already receiving naval boats particularly for this function.

Zelenskyy additionally introduced the extension of the “Grain from Ukraine” meals program, which he launched final November, saying $100 million has already been raised for its aims.

The program goals to produce Ukrainian grain to nations in Africa and Asia going through malnutrition and starvation.

On July 17, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal, saying that the Russian a part of the settlement had not been applied. It sought the loosening of banking restrictions and the power to ship its fertilizer earlier than returning to the settlement.

The settlement, initially signed in July of final yr in Istanbul by Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, was aimed toward resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports halted as a result of Russia-Ukraine conflict, which started in February 2022.

In August, Ukraine declared that short-term corridors have been established for service provider vessels arriving at and departing from the nation’s ports within the Black Sea.