Zelensky: Ukraine needs more air defenses to protect grain exports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, in a speech before an international summit on food security in Kiev, that his country needs more air defenses to protect grain export routes and areas bordering Russia as well.

“There is a deficit in air defense – and this is not a secret,” Zelensky added at the summit, which was attended by senior officials from European countries, including Swiss President and Lithuanian Prime Minister.

Zelensky was speaking after Russia attacked Ukraine using more than 75 drones overnight, the largest attack of its kind in the war.

The three leaders’ joint press conference was cut short due to sirens sounding to warn of another air strike.

Zelensky said that foreign partners will provide Kiev with ships to escort convoys of cargo ships from Ukrainian ports to ensure its security.

He continued, “I have agreements with several countries regarding strong escort of convoys by Ukrainians, but using foreign equipment”.

The Ukrainian president also stated that Kiev hopes to fill its air defense deficit with new supplies from partners and increase its production capacity, something he said progress has been made on.

He continued, “Until today, I cannot disclose details about what we are doing… but there is progress”.

Ukraine, a major grain exporter, exports grain through corridors it unilaterally opened across the Black Sea, after Russia withdrew in July from UN-brokered agreement to allow grain ships to pass through its blockade.

All current grain export corridors in the Black Sea start from ports in the Odessa region of southern Ukraine.

Zelensky said, “There are certain air defense systems…we are requesting them…We have already received an answer about when those systems will start guarding that area”.