KYIV: Ukrain’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he was in the Spanish city of Granada for a summit bringing together leaders from almost fifty European nations.
The visit comes as Zelensky lobbies his Western allies for more military assistance and air defense systems ahead of what officials warn could be intensified Russian attacks over the winter.
Zelensky said in a social media post that they will work in joint formats and have important bilateral discussions. The important thing, especially before the winter, is to strengthen air defense. He said that Ukraine already has the basis for new deals with its partners. It is preparing to confirm and implement them.
Russia has also ramped up attacks on ports of Ukraine since exiting an agreement allowing safe passage of shipments through the Black Sea.
Since Russia withdrew from the agreement, Kyiv has been testing a new sea route and hopes to resume regular exports on the Black Sea.
Zelensky said that Special attention should be paid to the Black Sea region and to working together for international food security and the protection of freedom of navigation.
The European Political Community was first proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bringing together European Union (EU) members and non-EU nations in a wider forum.
Summit overshadowed
The beginning of the summit has been overshadowed this year by tensions between members Armenia and Azerbaijan, whose President Ilham Aliyev turned down a meeting with Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan.
