By Alperen Aktas<\/p>\n
ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday detailed more than \u20ac1.1 billion ($1.27 billion) in new defense and energy commitments following visits to Greece, France, and Spain, saying the agreements will strengthen Ukraine\u2019s air defenses, aviation, and winter energy security.<\/p>\n
Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Greece will supply guaranteed gas volumes for the heating season as part of an agreement signed in Athens, calling the country \u201can important energy hub for Ukraine and for all of Central and Eastern Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
He announced that France agreed to significantly expand defense cooperation, including a plan for Ukraine to acquire 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035, as well as SAMP\/T air defense systems, advanced radars, air-to-air missiles, and guided aerial bombs.<\/p>\n
Paris will also deliver a new military assistance package by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Spain, he added, pledged \u20ac100 million ($115,7 million) to the PURL initiative for air defense missiles, \u20ac215 million ($248,7 million) under the SAFE instrument, and \u20ac200 million ($231,4 million) to support Ukraine\u2019s energy sector.<\/p>\n
The Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative is a US-NATO program that allows European and Canadian NATO member states to fund the purchase of American-manufactured weapons for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Madrid is also preparing an additional defense package that includes IRIS-T air defense missiles.<\/p>\n
– Zelenskyy’s Ankara visit<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, a Ukrainian delegation led by Zelenskyy also arrived in Ankara, and visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the founder of Turkish republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.<\/p>\n
His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said talks were ongoing \u201cin a businesslike, working atmosphere\u201d and noted continued coordination with representatives of US President Donald Trump\u2019s administration, including envoy Steve Witkoff.<\/p>\n