LIVE – Ukraine: Zelensky calls on allies to authorize use of long-range weapons in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday demanded “more weapons” from the allied countries gathered in Germany “in order to push back Russian forces” from Ukrainian territory “and in particular in the Donetsk region” in the east.

“The world has enough air defense systems to ensure that Russian terror has no result, and I urge you to be more active in this work with us on air defense,” the Ukrainian leader said at a meeting of Kiev’s supporters at the US air base in Ramstein (west), also demanding to authorize the use of long-range weapons “not only on the occupied territory of Ukraine, but also on Russian territory.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced $250 million in new military aid for Ukraine on Friday as Kiev grapples with Russian forces advancing in the east of the country and devastating strikes from Moscow. “President (Joe) Biden will sign a new $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine. This will increase capabilities to meet Ukraine’s evolving needs,” Austin said at a meeting of Ukraine’s international supporters in Germany.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the European House – Ambrosetti economic forum in Cernobbio, northern Italy, on Friday evening, its organizers announced. This mini-Davos on the shores of Lake Como, which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is also attending, will bring together the elite of Italian industry until Sunday. “I hope he will come,” the latter said upon arrival, when asked about a possible meeting with the Ukrainian head of state.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will travel to Italy for an economic forum and “negotiations” with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after a meeting of Ukraine’s international allies in Germany.

In a message referring to his trip to Germany, he added that “after that, it will be Italy. Ambrosetti International Economic Forum, meetings with representatives of Italian companies. Negotiations with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni,” he wrote on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Friday for a meeting of Ukraine’s international allies in Germany to rally their support as his army retreats in the east of the country under pressure from Russia, AFP journalists reported.

The Ukrainian leader will also hold one-on-one talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the meeting. The meeting at the US air base in Ramstein, western Germany, comes after deadly Russian airstrikes in Ukraine, including one on a military institute in the central city of Poltava, which killed at least 55 people.

A Ukrainian brigade claimed on Friday to have regained control of “part” of New York City from the Russians during a successful counterattack in this locality in its Donetsk region (east), a rare Ukrainian advance in this area for months.

The Azov Brigade announced on Telegram that it had managed to “regain control of part of New York and free” Ukrainian soldiers “surrounded by enemy forces.”

The United Kingdom will supply 650 missile systems to Ukraine to help it strengthen its air defenses in the coming months, London announced on Friday, after criticism from President Zelensky over the pace of military aid deliveries to kyiv.

The British Ministry of Defence announced in a statement that an initial delivery of 650 “light modular missile (LMM) systems” would take place by the end of the year, as part of a contract worth 162 million pounds (192 million euros). These “highly versatile” missiles will be built by the French group Thales at its factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France’s support for Ukraine on Thursday after a new deadly Russian strike and in the face of the Kremlin’s stated desire to complete the conquest of Donbass in the east of the country.

During a telephone conversation with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, he condemned “the intensification of Russian strikes and their indiscriminate nature,” the Élysée Palace said. France remains “more than ever at the side of the Ukrainian people” and will continue to “support Ukraine for as long and intensely as necessary to thwart Russia’s war of aggression,” he stressed.

At least 55 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in a Russian airstrike that hit a military institute in Poltava, central Ukraine, on Tuesday.

Volodymyr Zelensky is expected in Germany today, where Ukraine’s allies are meeting to discuss military aid as the Ukrainian army retreats in the east of the country under pressure from Russia.

Hello everyone in this new live broadcast dedicated to the war in Ukraine.