Ukrainian President Zelenskyy presses Western allies for clear postwar security guarantees

Kyiv, Ukraine (AP) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to provide clear postwar security assurances for his nation following the nearly five-year conflict sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion. This demand comes after two days of discussions among allies in Brussels, which focused on postwar reconstruction, funding for 2027, and security guarantees backed by the Ukrainian government's Western allies.

Speaking in a televised interview, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for tangible results and a clear understanding of the outcome if Russia resumes attacks. He stressed the importance of maintaining bipartisan support for Kyiv in the United States, particularly as Democrats' recent midterm election victories may lead to increased American assistance, including the faster delivery of Patriot missile interceptors.

Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes and guided bomb attacks continued to cause extensive damage in Ukraine. Power outages affected several regions, including the Kyiv area, while a Russian drone was discovered in the Black Sea. The death toll from a recent Russian bomb attack on a humanitarian aid distribution center rose to 53, with more bodies recovered from the rubble.