Zelensky Seeks Defense Support During Visit to Germany

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended a meeting of Ukraine’s international supporters in Germany on Friday, seeking to rally support for Kyiv following one of the deadliest Russian strikes of the war.

After the meeting at Ramstein Air Base, where he is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelenskyy will travel to Italy. The Ramstein meeting, hosted by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, comes in the wake of a Russian missile strike on Poltava that killed 55 people and wounded 300.

The talks at the base, southwest of Frankfurt, involve representatives from approximately 50 nations. Discussions will focus on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and encouraging allies to enhance their defense industries, according to Pentagon spokesperson Maj-Gen. Pat Ryder.

“Ukraine is crucial to U.S. and international security, and the efforts of Kyiv’s allies meeting in Ramstein remain essential to Ukraine’s fight for freedom and sovereignty,” Maj-Gen. Pat Ryder stated.

The meeting comes amid Moscow’s ongoing advances in the Donbas region. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that capturing the eastern area is his “primary objective” in the conflict.

Since failing to seize Kyiv in the initial phase of its offensive in February 2022, Russia has shifted its focus to trying to conquer eastern Ukraine. Although Ukraine’s unexpected push into Russia’s Kursk region last month surprised Russian forces, Putin claimed that it had not hindered Moscow’s progress. “The enemy has weakened itself in key areas, and our army has intensified its offensive operations,” Putin asserted.

On Friday, Ukraine announced that it had recaptured a portion of the eastern town of New York, marking its first success in this area for months. The Azov Brigade, which fought in the region, reported on social media, “Thanks to the high morale, courage, and professionalism of the brigade’s fighters, Azov managed to stabilize the situation and regain control of part of New York.”