Zelenskyy discusses Ukraine's need to strengthen its air defense with president of Finland
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on December 13. They discussed, among other things, Ukraine's need to strengthen its air defense, according to the president's Telegram channel.
"We discussed the consequences of Russia's massive morning attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which once again highlighted the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to Stubb and the Finnish people for their principled and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence.
Zelenskyy also specifically thanked Finland for its readiness to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
"It is important for us that Finland firmly supports Ukraine's sovereign right to choose its own future without external interference, including our choice to join the EU and NATO. In addition, we agreed on the need to provide Ukraine with real and effective security guarantees to achieve stability and lasting peace," he noted.
Finland's assistance to Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Finland has actively supported Ukraine in humanitarian, financial, and military-technical spheres.
In April, Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Alexander Stubb signed a bilateral security agreement, which provides for long-term support from Helsinki and deepens cooperation between the two countries.
In September, Finland announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth €118 million.
In December, Finland allocated its 26th aid package to Ukraine, amounting to €25 million. This package includes, among other things, winter gear for Ukrainian soldiers.
Massive shelling of Ukraine on December 13
On the morning of December 13, Russia carried out another massive attack on Ukraine. The attack involved drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, once again targeting the country's energy infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used 94 missiles and 193 drones.
Air defense forces managed to shoot down 80 cruise missiles (Kh-101/Kh-55SM/Kalibr/Iskander-K), 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile, and 80 Shahed-type attack drones and other unidentified UAVs.
