At the start of the NATO summit, Ukraine receives pledges for air defense systems. The bombed children’s clinic in Kiev must be rebuilt.
Bombed children’s clinic in Kiev on July 8, 2024 Photo: Ukrinform/dpa
Zelenskyi: Bombed hospital is being rebuilt
Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyi has carried out the reconstruction of the Russian missile attack badly damaged children’s hospital in Kiev announced. Zelensky said that 100 million hryvnias (equivalent to 2.3 million euros) had already been allocated to support the hospital, and that another 300 million hryvnias would follow. He thanked all private donors who supported the clinic and promised assistance to all families whose relatives were killed or injured in the attack.
More than 40 people were killed and over 100 wounded across the country in a rocket attack on Ukraine on Monday. The shelling of a children’s hospital in Kiev caused international outrage. There was sharp criticism of Russia’s actions during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
“This is of course a PR campaign, in this case a PR campaign based on blood,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The Ukrainians were so clumsy in using their anti-aircraft guns that one of the missiles hit the hospital, he claimed in an interview on Russian state television. Now Kiev is trying to exploit this tragedy as a backdrop for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s participation in the NATO summit. (dpa)
US, partners pledge to strengthen Kiev’s air defenses
The US and other NATO countries want to provide Ukraine with additional equipment to defend against Russian airstrikes, US President Joe Biden announced at a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the defence alliance in Washington. A joint statement from the US and several partners also mentioned “additional” Patriot air defence systems.
In addition, dozens of tactical air defense systems – such as Nasams or Iris-T – should go to Kiev, the report said. “These systems will further expand and strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.” The joint statement came from the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy, among others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Washington. On platform
Kiev says yes A total of four Patriot systems have been received to date. Germany delivered three. Another was promised by Romania, among others. The war in Ukraine is one of the main topics at the NATO summit in Washington. The heads of state and government of the 32 member states of the defense alliance are celebrating the 75th anniversary of NATO. (dpa)
Ukraine opens arms office in Washington
Ukraine is opening a small office in Washington to strengthen ties with the U.S. defense industry, Ukrainian officials announced Tuesday at the start of the NATO summit in the U.S. capital. The U.S., Ukraine and many European countries are currently expanding their production capacities in the defense sector.
Regardless of whether President Joe Biden or former head of state Donald Trump wins the US election, NATO and Ukraine want to put themselves in a position to better provide for their own defense needs. The announcement of the creation of the agency was one of many new weapons for Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. (ap)
Pistorius appeals to NATO: more aid needed for Ukraine
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) called on NATO partners to provide more military support to Ukraine. According to the budget plan, there is “no gap in that sense” in German funding, but a smaller amount than this year, the SPD politician said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. The common task is to “help Ukraine with what it needs, but also with what we can afford.”
Pistorius said: “But at the same time understand this as a call to all other partners in Europe to do more to lead Ukraine through this year and next.” (dpa)