PRESS RELEASE : President – We really want to save the lives of our people, and this requires heavy weapons and equipment

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 April 2022.

Ukraine needs heavy weapons to protect the lives of its citizens and to counter the Russian army, which has a numerical advantage in personnel and equipment. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen in Kyiv.

The Head of State stressed that in negotiations with all foreign partners, the issue of providing Ukraine with heavy weapons is a priority for him.

“The issue of weaponry is the most important. Yes, we also talked about finances that can support our pensioners, about social support where partners can help us. Because the economy in times of war is not about the economy. This is about plugging holes. This is a difficult story. But without weapons there will be nothing: no economy, no pensions, no salaries. Because there will be no one to protect. So far, we are raising the issue so that there is something to protect our population with,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President thanked the Prime Ministers of Spain and Denmark for the weapons that have already arrived and are yet to be delivered.

The President stressed that the timely provision of the necessary weapons will save the lives of citizens, which is a priority for Ukraine.

“We really want to save lives, to this end we need this equipment, which is lacking,” he said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there are two ways to liberate civilians and servicemen from Mariupol, which has been blocked by Russian troops: military and diplomatic. The implementation of the military way requires weapons, which are currently insufficient, and the help of our partners.

People can be liberated more quickly through diplomacy, and Ukraine has offered several options, including with the participation of mediators, as well as in the format of exchanging the wounded, but Russia does not agree to this, the President said.