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President Volodymyr Zelensky Urges Allies to Close Funding Gap for Ukraine's Air Defence Needs

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged international allies to help cover a €27 billion funding gap for Ukraine's air defence needs in 2026. Speaking during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv, Zelensky highlighted the necessity of increased funding to expand long-range strikes against Russian territory. He noted that while Ukraine can produce 200 to 300 long-range strike drones daily, the primary obstacle to increasing pressure on Moscow is a lack of financial resources. During the summit, Zelensky emphasized that bringing the war back to Russian territory is a strategic move to pressure President Vladimir Putin toward peace negotiations. Allied leaders, including British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine despite Russian threats. The coalition agreed to prioritize strengthening Ukraine's air defences, increasing military assistance, and ratcheting up sanctions on Russia's military-industrial complex. The administration of the European Union also announced a €90 billion loan to support Ukraine's energy infrastructure and air defence.

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