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Finland will supply Ukraine with ammunition for F-16 fighter jets “in the coming days,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, adding that the weapons would help counter jet-powered Shahed drones.
In a post on “X”, Zelenskyy said he had spoken by phone with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and French President Emmanuel Macron about Russian attacks on Kyiv and further support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy told Stubb about the latest Russian strikes and warned that additional Russian revenue from petroleum product exports could help fund the war. He referred to an agreement between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on diesel supplies to the United States and global markets.
“Of course, we also discussed a new challenge: additional revenue for Russia from petroleum product exports, which can be used to finance further Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said. He added that the two sides were preparing meetings and coordinating steps that could be useful in the current circumstances.
Stubb said Finland had announced its 35th support package for Ukraine on Friday, adding: “We are doing everything we can to protect Ukrainian civilians.”
In his call with Macron, Zelenskyy discussed the risks of easing restrictions on Russian oil products. He said Moscow “must feel that they no longer have the potential to prolong the war.”
“The need for additional air defense packages for Ukraine is obvious, and we are working with all partners toward the appropriate decisions,” Zelenskyy said, warning that the threat of further Russian missile strikes remained particularly high in the coming days.
Russian missile attack on Kyiv
Zelenskyy said his conversation with Macron took place during a Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, following repeated strikes by jet-powered Shahed drones on energy facilities. He said some of the missiles had been intercepted.
“What allowing Russia to sell oil products means was heard most clearly in Kyiv just now, when, after repeated attacks on energy facilities with jet-powered ‘Shaheds,’ Russia launched a ballistic missile attack as well,” he said.
Zelenskyy said every additional billion dollars Russia earned from exports would go toward acquiring components and equipment for weapons production, upgrading Shahed drones, manufacturing missiles and recruiting more foreign fighters.
“Russia’s choice is war,” he said, adding that Moscow would agree to end the conflict only when it felt its ability to prolong it was diminishing. Zelenskyy argued that signals Russia received the previous day had instead suggested it could continue its attacks.
He called on the United States, Europe and other partners to send “stronger signals” in support of Ukraine and restrict Russia’s ability to wage war.
