Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday urged Western leaders meeting in Latvia, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to provide a wide range of weapons systems to help end Europe’s deadliest conflict since WWII.
While US-led Western allies support Ukraine with funding, military training and weapons, Kyiv said more is needed to tip the balance in Ukraine’s favor in its 10-month campaign against Russia.
“A lot depends on you – how this war ends. The more successful our defense forces, the faster the Russian aggression will fail,” Zelenskiy told country leaders in a group-led Joint Expeditionary Force via video link. by the British from Northern European countries.
Addressing Sunak, Zelenskiy said, “I ask you to increase the possibility of providing air defense systems to our country and to help accelerate the relevant decisions to be taken by our partners.”
“A 100% air shield for Ukraine will be one of the most successful defenses against Russian aggression and it is needed now,” he said.
Without addressing the request directly, Sunak replied that the leaders gathered in Riga will “talk about how they can best continue to support you and provide you with everything you need.”
In a blatant criticism of Berlin, Zelenskiy said there was “no explanation” as to why Ukraine was not supplied with German-made Leopard tanks, and asked the Netherlands, whose forces use the tanks, to “please discuss this decision with its partners”. “.
“We need armored vehicles, especially tanks, in order for our defensive operations to be more successful,” Zelenskiy said. Germany is not part of the group and did not take part in the Riga meeting.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.