Tirana, Albania – February 28, 2024 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more ammunition during a summit in Albania, co-hosted with the Albanian government. He aimed to garner continued support from southeastern European nations as the war with Russia enters its third year.

In his address, Zelenskyy emphasized that increasing “armaments, and especially ammunition,” was crucial for Ukraine to defend itself. He acknowledged the challenges faced on the battlefield, stating, “the problems with the supply of ammunition” were impacting the situation.

This plea comes as concerns about “war fatigue” emerge amongst some countries supporting Ukraine. Additionally, Zelenskyy recently confirmed over 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in action since the war’s outbreak.

Albania, a NATO member and EU candidate, has already provided military aid to Ukraine. The summit, attended by representatives from eleven southeastern European countries and officials from the European Union and international organizations, aimed to further solidify support for Ukraine in the region.

Zelenskyy’s request could lead to increased pressure on Western nations to maintain or even increase military assistance for Ukraine. Discussions and negotiations regarding the nature and extent of this support are likely to continue in the coming days.

While the summit concluded with the signing of a friendship and cooperation agreement between Ukraine and Albania, the complex and ever-changing situation in Ukraine demands continued international attention and support.