Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid and improved air defense systems at a major international conference hosted by France.

Zelenskyy said some 12 million people in Ukraine were experiencing power cuts and water shortages following Russian attacks on public infrastructure, adding that the country is in desperate need of generators and spare parts to protect the population from freezing temperatures.

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The Solidarity with Ukraine conference was addressed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who pledged an additional $50 million in emergency aid to cover energy generation, water, food, clothing, transportation and health.

Other donor nations have brought the total pledged in winter aid to more than $412 million – all of which will be distributed before the middle of March.

Russian army's 'intolerable acts'

President Macron said because of military setbacks, the Russian army was deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. He said: "This constitutes war crimes. These acts are intolerable and cannot go unpunished."

The French leader also made it clear that there could be no end to the conflict other than on terms agreed by the Ukrainian government. 

President Macron had been criticized by authorities in Kyiv recently when he appeared to suggest that there should be consideration of Russia's security fears.

Zelenskyy's government has published a 10-point peace plan which would guarantee the territorial integrity of the country as established before Russia first occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014.

The conference has brought together representatives from 46 countries and 24 international organizations, many of which are already delivering humanitarian assistance on the ground in Ukraine.

Ukraine's parallel energy system

But President Zelenskyy said it would take $1.7 billion to repair the damaged power plants. So in the meantime, the country is establishing a parallel energy system using portable generators which he said had kept parts of the country's industry functioning.

He said Ukraine needs $850 million to cover the cost of importing electricity from other European countries, and that there is an urgent need for two billion cubic meters of gas and 50 million LED lights to cut energy consumption.

A separate conference has been scheduled on the same day to discuss reconstruction and resilience and some 500 French companies will discuss how they can work alongside Ukraine to rebuild the country once the fighting stops.

For now, all the countries attending the conference have indicated they are committed to maintaining solidarity with Ukraine for emergency humanitarian help during the winter months and also for longer-term reconstruction going forward.  

The next conference has already been planned for next year in London.