President Zelensky criticizes Western allies and calls for more support in the war against Russia.
In an interview with Reuters, the Ukrainian president called on his Western allies to make faster decisions on military support for Ukraine. He urged that partner states intervene more directly in the war by helping to intercept Russian missiles over Ukraine and allowing Kyiv to use Western weapons against enemy military equipment across the border.
Zelenskyi called the current situation “one of the most difficult” since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Ukraine has been struggling with increasing incursions by Russian troops into the northeast of the country in recent weeks. At the same time, Russia gained territory in the east of the Donbass region.
The president said: “Everyone is afraid of escalation. But everyone has gotten used to Ukrainians dying – this is no longer an escalation for people.”
The Ukrainian president suggested that the forces of neighboring NATO countries could intercept Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory to protect the country. He emphasized that Ukraine is still waiting for delivery of US-developed F-16 fighter jets.
According to Reuters, Kiev is also negotiating with international partners to expand the use of their supplied weapons to hit Russian military equipment at the border and further inside Russia. “So far there is nothing positive,” Zelensky admitted.