(Dan Tri) – President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies to help intercept Russian missiles over Ukraine and allow Kiev to use Western weapons to attack Moscow’s targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Reuters (Photo: Reuters).
In an interview with Reuters on May 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted Kiev’s partners to participate more directly in the Ukraine conflict.
`It’s a matter of will. But everyone is afraid of escalation. Everyone is used to the fact that Ukrainians are dying,` Mr. Zelensky said.
He said that Western allies are taking too much time to make important decisions on military support for Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine proposed that the armed forces of neighboring NATO countries could intercept Russian missiles flying over Ukrainian territory to help Kiev defend itself.
Russia has fired thousands of missiles and drones into Ukraine since the start of the conflict in 2022. Air defense systems are therefore a top priority for Kiev.
`Russia is using 300 aircraft on Ukrainian territory. We need at least 120, 130 aircraft to resist in the sky,` Mr. Zelensky said.
Ukraine is waiting for the West to deliver US-designed F-16 fighter jets.
Zelensky said that if countries cannot immediately provide planes to Ukraine, they could still launch them from NATO neighbors and shoot down Russian missiles.
`They (the West) can’t supply (fighters) right now? So back to the planes they have on the territory of neighboring NATO countries: sortie them, shoot down targets, protect them.`
The Ukrainian leader also said Kiev is negotiating with partners about using their weapons to attack Russian military assets at the border and further inside Russian territory.
President Zelensky reiterated that he did not break the agreement with allies not to use their weapons to attack targets within Russian territory.
`We cannot put the entire amount of weapons in danger,` the Ukrainian leader emphasized.
According to President Zelensky, the current battlefield situation is `the most difficult` since the conflict began.
`A very strong wave (of fighting) is going on in Donbass… No one even notices that there are actually more battles in the east of the country, especially in the direction of Donbas: Kurakhove, Pokrovsk,
In recent weeks, Moscow’s military has advanced into northeastern Ukraine, further challenging Kiev’s already stretched defenses.
Mr. Zelensky called for faster military aid from the US and other partners.
Ukraine is preparing for an international peace conference in Switzerland next month.
`Then Russia will have to answer to most of the world, not Ukraine. … No one says that tomorrow Russia will agree, but it is important that we have the initiative,` Mr. Zelensky added.
He also emphasized that Ukraine can still win the war, despite setbacks in recent months.
`I think we need to follow this path to the end, preferably the path of victory,` Mr. Zelensky emphasized.
Olivia 
Jackson