Sun Jan 05 11:25:30 UTC 2025: ## Zelenskyy Urges Allies for Air Defense Boost as Trump Presidency Looms
**Kyiv, Ukraine –** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pressing allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, voicing concerns about the incoming administration’s approach to the ongoing war with Russia. Zelenskyy announced that he will reiterate this plea at a Ramstein group meeting in Germany this week, attended by dozens of partner countries. The meeting, focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s defenses against missiles, guided bombs, and Russian aviation, will be attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Biden administration, in its final weeks, rushed to provide military aid to Ukraine before the January 20th handover. Trump’s campaign promise to swiftly end the war has raised questions about the future level of U.S. support, currently Ukraine’s most significant military backing. Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s “strong and unpredictable” nature as a potentially decisive factor in his Ukraine policy.
Despite heavy losses on both sides, including a reported battalion of Russian and North Korean troops near Makhnovka in the Kursk region, the war’s trajectory remains unfavorable for Ukraine. The country is facing manpower shortages and relies heavily on continued Western support. A recent Russian guided bomb attack on Semenivka wounded nine people, and overnight drone attacks saw Ukraine claim the destruction of 61 out of 103 launched drones, while Russia reported shooting down 61 Ukrainian drones. Both sides reported damage to infrastructure.
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