MONITORING DESK
ISLAMABAD: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the Group of Seven G7 countries to provide extra gas and weapons to help Ukraine to survive a brutal winter and war that further risks suffering for millions in the war-torn country.
With continuous snowfall and the country’s energy grid demolished by Russian strikes, many face freezing temperatures without any power or heating.
During a video conference with the G7, Ukrainian President Zelensky said Ukraine required “about two billion cubic meters” of additional gas to survive in this winter season.
Zelensky urges G7 countries to supply arms
Zelensky also asked the G7 to provide Ukraine with more arms, and modern weapons including “modern tanks”, “rocket artillery” and more long-range missiles” in order to further strengthen defense against Russia.
G7 countries Discussed Ukraine’s war survival
The Western-supplied weapons have helped Ukraine turn the tide in the war. A senior US military official said on Monday that Russia is likely going for older, less reliable artillery and rocket ammunition as its newer stocks decline.
However, Zelensky told the G7 that Russia still has the upper hand in artillery and missiles, calling it “a fact”.
The G7 leaders agreed on key elements of a platform to coordinate financial support for Ukraine, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz before a summit in Paris on post-war reconstruction.
Proposal of Zelensky in G7 countries session
The Ukrainian leader also proposed holding a special summit, which he named the “Global Peace Formula Summit” in order to determine how and when could the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula be implemented.
Zelensky also urged Moscow “to take a concrete and meaningful step towards a diplomatic settlement,” while demanding it to leave Ukrainian territory by Christmas.
