Zelensky In Berlin: We Need At Least Seven Patriot

A conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine is taking place in Germany.

Kyiv needs at least seven complexes of air defence Patriot to protect against Russian strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in Berlin during a speech at a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction, Radio Svaboda reports.

The Ukrainian leader thanked Germany for the three Patriot systems already delivered to Kyiv. ‘Air defence is the answer to all questions,’ Zelensky stressed.

The president also noted that one of Russia's goals is to destroy Ukraine's energy supply.

However, according to Zelensky, Ukraine has a clear plan to build one gigawatt of energy capacity this year and four gigawatts in the coming years. In addition, Zelensky said that Kyiv plans to restore all possible energy facilities before winter.

In his turn, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at the conference, called on Kyiv's allies to further strengthen Ukraine's air defence. According to Scholz, he intends to raise the issue at the G7 summit in Italy. The event will open on Thursday, June 13.

During his speech, the chancellor pointed to the World Bank's data, according to which Ukraine will need about 500 billion dollars for reconstruction in the next 10 years.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said at the conference in Berlin that one and a half billion euros from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets would become available to Ukraine in July. In addition, Ukraine will receive almost two billion euros from the UkraineFacility programme in June.

The conference on Ukraine's recovery is taking place in Berlin from June 11 to 12. The event is attended by about two thousand politicians, businessmen, representatives of international organisations from 60 countries. During the conference, the German government together with Kyiv intends to develop a long-term plan for Ukraine's recovery and stimulate investments.