Selenskyj: Lack of aid for Ukraine means crisis for Europe
Published: Wednesday, Jan 17th 2024, 23:50
Updated At: Wednesday, Jan 17th 2024, 23:50
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has warned of a further delay in Western aid for his country, which is under attack from Russia. "There will be a major crisis for the whole of Europe", the head of state told journalists at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) on Wednesday. Ukraine would continue to fight - but without aid money, Russia could be in a position to conquer Ukraine. "And as soon as they have conquered us, believe me, it will be a war between NATO and Russia," Selensky explained. Russian President Vladimir Putin has such an attack on the military alliance in mind.
A direct consequence of the lack of Western support will be a weakening on the battlefield, said Selensky: "We will have a huge artillery shortage." The air defense will also be weaker due to a lack of missiles. In the event of a Ukrainian defeat, Europe would not only be threatened by new streams of refugees. Grain and electricity supplies would also be cut off, warned Selensky.
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for almost two years with Western support. According to calculations by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the total aid for Ukraine already amounts to over 240 billion euros. However, the granting of billions in new aid from the most important supporter, the USA, is currently stuck due to a domestic political dispute. The EU has also been unable to release a planned Ukraine aid program worth 50 billion euros over the next four years due to a Hungarian veto.
Selensky gave a positive assessment of his trip to Davos. He had "many good and useful meetings" there, he said in his evening video address. Ukrainian officials had also sought international cooperation in the field of armaments at the forum.
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