Ukraine is calling for a coordination center for reconstruction based on the Ramstein format for armaments aid.
(Photo: dpa)
Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelensky is hoping for EU help to restore Ukraine’s energy grid, which was destroyed by Russian attacks, before the start of winter. Forty percent of the energy system is “severely damaged,” said the head of state at a meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on Tuesday in Kyiv.
“We will do everything we can to provide people with electricity and heat this winter,” he promised in his daily video speech in the evening.
“The position of the terrorists is absolutely transparent, and this challenge should be seen as a challenge for all of Europe,” Zelensky said. Moscow will propaganda present the difficulties of the winter as alleged proof of the failure of a united Europe. “Therefore, together we must prove to the terrorists that ‘failure’ is a word about them and not about Europe,” said the President.
Russia will do everything “to destroy the normality of life” and does not take into account the costs of this “energy terror”. Zelensky calculated that Monday’s latest missile and drone attack “cost the equivalent of 2.3 million average Russian pensions.” “And that’s just for one attack.”
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Wednesday is the 252nd day of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Zelenski: The EU Commission should coordinate
Zelenski suggested that the EU Commission should play a coordinating role in restoring his country’s energy infrastructure. He recalled the Ukraine contact group, the so-called Ramstein format, in which the supporter countries coordinate their arms assistance. According to media reports, there should also be a “Ramstein” for business and energy. “I am sure that we will restore everything,” says Zelenski.
According to the Brussels authority, the Commission and the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, among others, will launch a campaign in the coming days to mobilize further support from the private sector.
The Ukrainian and French presidents exchanged views on how to better protect the country.
(Photo: IMAGO/Ukrinform)
Selenski had previously spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron about increased protection against Russian missile and drone attacks. “There must be air protection for Ukraine – that was clearly said today,” emphasized the Ukrainian President, without giving any further details.
US fears more arms shipments from Iran
Meanwhile, the United States fears possible further Iranian arms deliveries to Russia for the war against Ukraine. Concerns remain that Iran could supply Moscow with weapons other than combat drones, such as surface-to-surface missiles, said National Security Council communications director John Kirby.
A Defense Department spokesman said the US would disclose if it observed such weapons from Iran being used in Ukraine. Iran has so far denied arms sales to Russia.
Selenski: “Very successful use” of the German air defense system Iris-T
In October, the US government denounced that combat drones from Iran were used in the Ukraine war – and that Tehran had sent its own military personnel to Crimea to train the Russians in how to use the drones and to offer technical assistance.
In the face of reports of new arms deliveries to Russia, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak called for Europe to classify Iran as a party to the conflict and as a participant in the aggression. “If Iran hands over missiles to Russia, it knows full well that they will attack our cities,” Podoliak wrote on Twitter. “Tehran is an accomplice in the aggression and must be officially recognized as such.”
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That will be important on Wednesday
After Russia suspended the grain agreement, the United Nations announced that shipping in the Black Sea would be suspended on Wednesday. “The UN Secretariat and the Joint Coordination Center report that the delegations of Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations have agreed not to plan any movement of ships under the Black Sea Grains Initiative for tomorrow, November 2,” said Sprecher Farhan Haq in New York.
The spokesman stressed that Moscow’s suspension of the agreement was a “temporary and exceptional measure”. The break in shipping traffic is also a “temporary measure” – until further notice it is only about Wednesday. “We expect loaded ships to set sail on Thursday,” UN coordinator Amir Abdulla tweeted on Tuesday evening.
More: Don’t miss any development – Everything new in our news blog about the Ukraine war