TOI World Desk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the United States to allow Kyiv to target military sites deep within Russia, reported Reuters.
This push follows meetings between Ukrainian representatives and senior US officials in Washington. The US has provided over $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2022 but has restricted the use of its weapons to Ukrainian soil and defensive cross-border operations.
Casualties in Ukraine fuel Zelenskyy’s appeal
According to Zelenskyy, Russian-guided aerial bombs have caused recent casualties in Ukraine, including six deaths and 97 injuries in Kharkiv. He believes that these attacks could be stopped by striking Russian military assets, such as airfields and bases.
“We talk about this every day with our partners. We persuade. We present arguments,” Zelenskyy stated in his nightly video address. He argued that clearing the Ukrainian sky of Russian-guided bombs would force Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace.
Call for advanced military capabilities from Western allies
Appealing to the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, Zelenskyy emphasised the need for advanced military capabilities. “We need both the permissions for long-range capabilities and your long-range shells and missiles,” he said.
Without disclosing details, he mentioned that his representatives had provided all the necessary information to Ukraine’s partners.
Defence discussions in Washington
Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov, who was part of the delegation in Washington, conveyed that Kyiv is showing evidence that Russian airfields used to attack Ukrainian cities are within range of deep strikes.
“We have explained what kind of capabilities we need to protect the citizens against the Russian terror that Russians are causing us, so I hope we were heard,” CNN quoted Umerov.
Zelenskyy is expected to reiterate his plea in person next month when he presents a victory plan to President Joe Biden and attends United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.
Economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who led Kyiv’s delegation, discussed measures to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, highlighting the significant contribution of an $800 million energy sector financing package announced in June. Over half of Ukraine’s power infrastructure has been affected by Russian air strikes, she said.
Ukraine’s urgent plea for expedited defence support
Andriy Yermak, the president’s chief of staff, accompanied Umerov to brief US defense secretary Lloyd Austin on the battlefield situation during their first meeting on Friday.
This gathering concluded a week in which Russia launched more than 400 missiles and drones at Ukraine. Yermak stressed the urgency of receiving weapons from existing defence packages as soon as possible.
Yermak underscored the need for expedited delivery of defence tools, especially given the intensity of Russian attacks.
The US government has shown support through various military and financial aid packages, yet the Ukrainian leadership insists that more specific and long-range military capabilities are essential for their defence.
By making detailed cases to their international allies, Ukraine hopes to gain the necessary permissions and support for more extensive military actions.
This push follows meetings between Ukrainian representatives and senior US officials in Washington. The US has provided over $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2022 but has restricted the use of its weapons to Ukrainian soil and defensive cross-border operations.
Casualties in Ukraine fuel Zelenskyy’s appeal
According to Zelenskyy, Russian-guided aerial bombs have caused recent casualties in Ukraine, including six deaths and 97 injuries in Kharkiv. He believes that these attacks could be stopped by striking Russian military assets, such as airfields and bases.
“We talk about this every day with our partners. We persuade. We present arguments,” Zelenskyy stated in his nightly video address. He argued that clearing the Ukrainian sky of Russian-guided bombs would force Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace.
Call for advanced military capabilities from Western allies
Appealing to the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, Zelenskyy emphasised the need for advanced military capabilities. “We need both the permissions for long-range capabilities and your long-range shells and missiles,” he said.
Without disclosing details, he mentioned that his representatives had provided all the necessary information to Ukraine’s partners.
Defence discussions in Washington
Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov, who was part of the delegation in Washington, conveyed that Kyiv is showing evidence that Russian airfields used to attack Ukrainian cities are within range of deep strikes.
“We have explained what kind of capabilities we need to protect the citizens against the Russian terror that Russians are causing us, so I hope we were heard,” CNN quoted Umerov.
Zelenskyy is expected to reiterate his plea in person next month when he presents a victory plan to President Joe Biden and attends United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.
Economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who led Kyiv’s delegation, discussed measures to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, highlighting the significant contribution of an $800 million energy sector financing package announced in June. Over half of Ukraine’s power infrastructure has been affected by Russian air strikes, she said.
Ukraine’s urgent plea for expedited defence support
Andriy Yermak, the president’s chief of staff, accompanied Umerov to brief US defense secretary Lloyd Austin on the battlefield situation during their first meeting on Friday.
This gathering concluded a week in which Russia launched more than 400 missiles and drones at Ukraine. Yermak stressed the urgency of receiving weapons from existing defence packages as soon as possible.
Yermak underscored the need for expedited delivery of defence tools, especially given the intensity of Russian attacks.
The US government has shown support through various military and financial aid packages, yet the Ukrainian leadership insists that more specific and long-range military capabilities are essential for their defence.
By making detailed cases to their international allies, Ukraine hopes to gain the necessary permissions and support for more extensive military actions.