Kyiv (AFP) Moscow – Paris – Al-Zaman

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested more air defense systems and missiles during a phone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, stating that Russia is exploiting “internal” disputes within countries to strike Ukraine.

Zelensky posted on his Facebook page: “I spoke with President Emmanuel Macron (..) I informed him of our priority needs, foremost among them air defense systems and missiles.”

Zelensky noted that “Russia is benefiting from the current situation, as the Middle East and internal problems of each country attract maximum attention.”

He condemned the Russian strikes, describing them as “more vile,” adding that he discussed “how to confront this” with the French president, whose country is currently experiencing a political crisis.

Recently, Russia has intensified its nighttime attacks with drones and missiles in Ukraine, targeting energy facilities especially as winter approaches. On Friday, one of the strongest Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities plunged much of the capital and nine other regions into darkness. On Sunday, Zelensky said that “more than 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and about 1,360 shells were launched on Ukraine” in the past week.

Zelensky’s call to Macron came a day after his call with U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to negotiate peace in Ukraine after securing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.