West should give Ukraine 10 times more aid - Deputy FM Melnyk

Andriy Melnyk said this on Channel One.

The deputy foreign minister emphasized that US assistance under the Lend-Lease during World War II amounted to USD 700-800 billion in current prices. At the same time, he recalled the statement by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Western partners had provided USD 55 billion in support to Ukraine.

Andriy Melnyk said that Ukrainians are grateful for Western assistance, but it is not enough. In particular, partner countries should cross the remaining 'red line' and provide long-range weapons and fighter jets.

The diplomat summarized his speech on Twitter on Saturday, April 23:

“We are thankful to our allies for their military help. But: it is not enough. Ukraine needs 10 times more to finish Russian aggression this year. Thus we call upon our partners to cross all artificial red lines and devote 1% of GDP for Ukraine's weapons deliveries,” he tweeted. 

• According to Andriy Herus, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, Russia has fired more than 1,200 missiles and drones at key facilities of Ukraine's energy system. At least UAH 40 billion is needed to restore it.