Ukraine’s Zelenskiy asks for “air-shield” amid intensified Russian attacks
- 30 January, 11:59
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appealed to leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries for an air-shield to protect his country from the ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
“I am asking you to strengthen the overall effort to help financially with the creation of an ‘air shield’ for Ukraine. Millions of people will be grateful to the Group of Seven for such assistance,” Zelensiy said, while addressing a virtual meeting held on Tuesday. The comments followed Monday’s attack in which at least 19 people were killed and dozens were injured as Russian launched over 80 missiles across Ukrainian cities.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Zelenskiy reminded that Russia has launched approximately 300 missiles of various types and 600 drones across Ukrainian cities since the start of the year, stressing that an air-shield was required to “withstand such terrorist pressure”.
A joint statement released by G7 countries’ leaders at the end of the meeting, pledged continued “financial, humanitarian, military, diplomatic and legal support … for as long as it takes” to Ukraine. The leaders pledged to hold Vladimir Putin responsible for the war crimes committed against Ukraine’s civilian population.
“We deplore deliberate Russian escalatory steps, including the partial mobilisation of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk,” a G7 statement said.
“We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences.”
