Zelensky urges countries to speed up weapons delivery as Ramstein meeting starts in Germany

At the opening of the meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed its participants via video conference.

He thanked international partners for each piece of weaponry that helps save lives. The president also called for speeding up the decision-making process on the transfer of defense weapons to Ukraine.

"The war started by Russia does not allow delays. And I can thank you hundreds of times and it will be absolutely just and fair, given all that we have already done, – but hundreds of "thank you” are not hundreds of tanks. All of us can use thousands of words in discussions, but I cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against Russian artillery, or instead of the anti-aircraft missiles that are needed to protect people from Russian airstrikes," Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that the Kremlin must lose, because its goal is to destroy nations.

"We have to speed up! Time must become our common weapon, just like air defense and artillery, armored vehicles and tanks, which we are negotiating about with you.

The Kremlin must lose," the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Zelenskyy believes that Ukraine conveyed a powerful message to the world in Davos that "no one in the free world can hesitate now."

Before the start of the meeting, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense told what they expected from the Ramstein meeting:

• More air defense systems;
• Weapons for offensive operations (tanks, howitzers, ammunition);
• Systematic supply of ammunition + service and repair of weapons and equipment.

For reference: Ukraine Defense Contact Group, or the Ramstein platform (after the name of the meeting place air base) is a meeting of international allies who support Ukraine's defense in the war with Russia. Currently, it unites the defense ministers of more than 50 countries.

• Poland intends to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, regardless of what Berlin's decision will be as a country producing this equipment.

• Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said that several countries will announce the transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine on January 20, and their number will reach hundreds.