The Ukrainian president, for his part, regretted that the West was “dragging” deliveries of long-range missiles for his country, weapons which are at the heart of a debate concerning their use to strike Russia.
If kyiv claims to be able to target targets deep in Russia with these missiles to reduce Moscow’s capabilities to strike its territory, several of its allies, including the United States, are refusing at this stage to give a green light, fearing an escalation. of the Kremlin. “We need weapons in sufficient quantity and quality, including long-range weapons, with which, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging,” Volodymyr Zelensky regretted.
He stressed that his task was also to “convince” the West to “shoot down the Russian missiles and drones” which are targeting Ukraine, while saying he was aware “that this is a difficult decision”.
“What works in the skies of the Middle East and contributes to the defense of Israel can work just as well in the skies of our corner of Europe, in Ukraine, to save lives,” he later argued in a video message, referring to the interceptions from American ships of Iranian missiles targeting Israel.
New NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday reaffirmed Western support for Ukraine until it “wins” over Russia, during a visit to kyiv just two days after its capture of function.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky notably demanded that the allies help Ukraine intercept Russian missiles to “save lives” as they did for Iranian missiles targeting Israel. This visit comes at a difficult time for Ukraine, whose forces are in decline on the Eastern front, lacking men and weapons.
“It is my priority and my privilege to advance this ‘Western’ support to ensure that Ukraine wins,” said Mark Rutte, speaking alongside Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian army had already indicated that it was withdrawing on Wednesday. Russia officially claimed this Thursday the capture of the town of Vouhledar, in eastern Ukraine. “Thanks to the resolute actions of the units of the Eastern Troop Group, the locality of Vouhledar […] was released,” the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram. The deadly battle of Vouhledar lasted two and a half years.
Like every day, the 20 Minutes editorial team is working to provide you with all the information on the conflict. War in Ukraine was declared with Russia’s invasion of the country on the night of February 23 to 24, 2022 by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This Friday is already the 954th day of conflict.
