Zelensky also “appreciated the help being provided by the US to restore the energy system.” He was referring to the damage done to Ukrainian energy grids due to repeated Russian missile strikes…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a phone call, has thanked his US counterpart Joe Biden for the “unprecedented” help for his war-ravaged country to enhance its defence and financial fronts, media reported.
“I thanked for the unprecedented defence and financial assistance that the USA provides to Ukraine,” Zelensky said, news agency Reuters reported, citing his Telegram post.
“This not only contributes to success on the battlefield but also supports the stability of the Ukrainian economy,” he further added.
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Zelensky also “appreciated the help being provided by the US to restore the energy system.” He was referring to the damage done to Ukrainian energy grids due to repeated Russian missile strikes.
According to a White House readout, President Biden has assured Zelensky that boosting Ukraine’s defence system was a priority for the US. He also welcomed Zelensky’s “stated openness to a just peace based on fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter”.
Last week, the US Defence Department announced another military assistance package worth USD 275 million for Ukraine. The package includes additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 80,000 155 mm artillery rounds and counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems equipment.
In addition, the assistance package announced by the US includes counter-air defence capability, high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) ambulances and medical equipment, around 150 generators and field equipment. The announcement comes amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The US Defence Department noted that the United States has provided military assistance worth over USD 19.3 billion since Russia began its military offensive in Ukraine on February 24.
According to the statement issued by the US Defence Department, the military assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to bolster its air defence. Notably, the US has been providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine ever since Moscow launched aggression in Kyiv.
“This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defences in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield,” the US Defence Department said in the press release.
Talks with Macron, Erdogan
Zelensky has said that he had separate conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Zelensky tweeted on Sunday that he discussed with Macron “the implementation of our ten-step peace formula, cooperation on defense and energy stability” of Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the conversation with Erdogan over the phone, Zelensky thanked Turkey for “sheltering Ukrainian children and providing hundreds of generators for our cities”.
Zelensky and Erdogan also discussed the “Grain from Ukraine” programme and the possible expansion of the Black Sea Grain export deal.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that Turkey continued to work towards meeting the humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people in the “difficult winter months”.
“The grain corridor could be expanded to include different food products and other commodities,” said Erdogan.
He also expressed hope for “approaching a solution” to the issue of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.
Turkey has been evaluating the contributions that can be made for the implementation of the peace plan announced by Zelensky at the G20 Summit, the Turkish President told his Ukrainian counterpart.
Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan was closely involved with the group of 1,033 people consisting of Ukrainian orphan children and their companions hosted in the Turkish capital Ankara, he added.
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