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Zelensky at G7 Summit: Ukraine needs additional Patriots, transition to F-16s, and recovery plan
At the G7 summit, President Vodymyr Zelensky identified the areas in which Ukraine needs assistance the most: additional Patriot air defence systems, accelerating the transition to F-16s and develing a Marshall Plan for Ukraine.
He said this during a speech to the leaders of the Group of Seven countries, Ukrinform reports citing the Presidential Press Service.
"The recent permission to use Western weapons outside our territory to defend Kharkiv and other cities has strengthened us against Russian attacks. But we are still in search of additional Patriots and need to continue to take the same strong steps that have been taken for our long-range capability. I also ask you to do everything possible to accelerate our transition to F-16, which means accelerating pilot training and increasing the number of training centres for pilots," Zelensky said.
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The President put forward a separate initiative regarding reconstruction projects.
"We need a clear plan for Ukraine's recovery. Similar to the Marshall Plan for Eure after the war. Of course, one that meets the needs of our time and Ukraine. Friends, let's draw up such a recovery plan together and confirm it with a joint G7+ declaration – a recovery declaration," Zelensky suggested.
He also recalled the security agreements. "Today, as part of this declaration, we are signing two more security agreements – with the United States and Japan. These are strong agreements. By doing so, we are completing the security architecture of relations between Ukraine and the Group of Seven – there will be seven agreements with all of you," the President said.
In his speech, Zelensky also focused on the need to use Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.
"We all understand that it is only fair that Russia pays for the damage caused by the Russian war. I ask you to support the plan for the use of Russian assets, which will quickly provide Ukraine with USD 50 billion," Zelensky called on.
Read also: Zelensky meets with Italian PM
According to him, it is also necessary to create a working mechanism for the confiscation of Russia's frozen assets worth USD 300 billion.
As reported by Ukrinform, the two-day summit of G7 leaders began on 13 June in Italy, which hds the presidency of the Group of Seven this year.
Source: ukrinform.net
