Zelenskyy urges Latin American leaders to help repair Ukraine's power grid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged Latin American leaders to send help "as soon as possible" to save his country's power grid from relentless Russian attacks. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Speaking at a summt in Madrid, Zelenskyy said every power plant in Ukraine has been damaged "in one way or another by attacks". The Ukrainian leader asked for international cooperation to help rebuild and repair its energy system. "We need equipment that works with our power grid and we need it fast. So please support directly to have connections with your companies, with your productions and get these supplies to Ukraine as quick as possible," Zelenskyy said at the 30th Ibero-American summit. The summit brought together a 22-nation group of mainly Latin American Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries. Those attending included Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, Honduran President Nasry Asfura, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Council President Antonio Costa. "Since the start of the war, Ukraine has sought integration and the right kind of communication about this war with countries on the African continent and in Latin America," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that it is the first time Ukraine is represented at the summit. "We need the diplomatic support of these countries. Every day, every month, and every year, relevant issues are raised at the UN General Assembly, and we are getting more and more votes from Latin America," he added. Ukraine faces another difficult winter Speaking at the summit, Zelenskyy called on leaders across the region to speak out against what he described as Russian "mass killings" that it carries out throughbombings and drones. The Ukrainian president, who thanked Spain for its continued support, set out the urgent need for technical equipment, such as transformers, power cables, electronic equipment and diesel and gas generators to maintain the country's infrastructure. Repeated Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in recent weeks have raised fears of another difficult winter ahead, and on Tuesday Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said supplies in the capital were "extremely difficult". Zelenskyy's visit to Madrid comes amid US-led efforts to revive peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, with trilateral talks set to resumse next week in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to meeting with Sanchez, Zelenskyy also met with King Felipe VI to offer his condolences over the train collision in Toledo, as well as brief him on the consequences of Russia's daily attacks on Ukraine. "We are now actively working with our partners to strengthen our air defense and better protect people. We count on Spain’s support in this regard," Zelenskyy wrote.