Ukraine’s Olena Zelenska calls on West for more aid ahead of winter

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska on Wednesday called on Western leaders to offer more military support as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s onslaught.

Zelenska urged the international community not to grow fatigued by the war, saying allied countries must fight the aggressor together.

“I understand that these are outside the duties of first ladies, but we are already outside the normal protocols because of the war,” Zelenska told CNBC’s Karen Tso, according to a translation.

“Ukraine needs more weapons, more military assistance,” she said, calling specifically for air defense missiles.

“We want to take our children to school without fear, without worrying that a missile will strike us at any time. We need weapons for our soldiers to fight and it all comes, we are very grateful for that,“ Zelenska added.

Zelenska, who is the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukraine was grateful for the assistance received so far but added that continued support is needed, especially ahead of the winter.

As the war enters its ninth month, Zelenska said that the cold weather poses an additional crisis, with Russian President Vladimir Putin likely hoping to seize on waning resources and weakened morale in Ukraine, even as his own side suffers deep losses.

She added that the West weakening its support now would be a tragedy not only for Ukraine but for all of Kyiv’s allies.

“The tragedy that happened to Ukraine touched everybody, we feel a strong support from everyone. If assistance will diminish, we will be in great danger,” she said.

The first lady described technology as a “battlefield” in the invasion, noting that technological equipment including drones and missiles were being used to kill people rather than save them.