Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Latin American leaders to help Ukraine obtain equipment to repair its power grid, saying supplies were needed quickly after repeated Russian attacks. He made the appeal Thursday at the 30th Ibero-American summit in Madrid, Euronews reported.
Zelenskyy said every power plant in Ukraine had been damaged in some way by attacks. He asked leaders to connect Ukraine directly with companies and manufacturers able to provide equipment compatible with the country’s electricity network.
The requested supplies include transformers, power cables, electronic equipment, and diesel and gas generators, according to his remarks at the summit. Zelenskyy said the equipment was needed to maintain Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Zelenskyy calls for diplomatic support
The Ukrainian president also asked Latin American countries to speak out against Russian attacks, which he described as “mass killings” carried out through bombings and drones. He said Ukraine needed diplomatic backing as well as practical assistance for its energy system.
Ukraine has sought stronger ties with countries in Latin America and Africa since the war began, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. He added that Latin American countries’ votes at the United Nations had become increasingly supportive of Ukraine.
At the summit, Zelenskyy thanked Spain for its continued support and said Ukraine was working with partners to strengthen its air defenses. Repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have raised concern about supplies ahead of winter; Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Tuesday that supplies in the capital were “extremely difficult.”
Clayton Ward 
Nicole French