Zelensky's Plea at Ramstein: Fighting Death, Demanding Air Defense and Joint Weapons Production

Honoring Fallen Children and Victims of War

• 🕯️ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky began by honoring the memory of 631 children killed by Russia since the full-scale invasion, with a total of 872 children killed since 2014.
• 💔 He highlighted the tragic discovery of mass graves near Mariupol and other eastern and southern cities, containing tens of thousands of victims.
• ⚔️ Zelensky stated, "We are fighting against death – the death that Russia is bringing to our land," emphasizing the need to stop Russian aggression.

Strengthening Air Defense

• 🛡️ Zelensky stressed the critical need for stronger air defense systems to reduce Russia's perceived value in attacking Ukrainian cities and villages.
• ✈️ He specifically requested faster deliveries of air defense missiles and systems, particularly Patriot systems, as the most effective way to halt Russian missile terror.
• 🤝 Discussions are underway with allies to localize the production of air defense systems like NASAMS within Ukraine, enhancing shared security.

Boosting Defense Investment and Production

• 💰 Ukraine seeks to scale up joint weapons production with allies by at least 50%, leveraging untapped industrial capacity.
• 💸 A significant funding gap of $18 billion exists for web procurement, with Ukraine's national budget allocating $17 billion for this purpose.
• 🚀 Joint production and investment in Ukraine's defense industry are crucial for strengthening its capabilities, as demonstrated by the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones.

Security Guarantees and Diplomacy

• 🤝 Zelensky is working with partners on real security guarantees and political steps to prevent future aggression or the spread of war.
• ⏱️ He urged for speeding up practical preparations, infrastructure, and coordination for these security measures.
• 🕊️ The ultimate goal is to force Moscow into diplomacy, achieve a ceasefire, and secure real peace and security through all available methods.