Zelenskyy explains consequences of Western partners' delays in allowing long-range strikes against Russia
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Delays of international partners in lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons are allowing Russia to move military targets deeper into its territory, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
"I think so. If the appropriate weapons are allowed to be used - you see their effect on enemy targets in temporarily occupied territories or within Russia. I don't see the results of using such weapons as of now," Zelenskyy said.
He added that recent meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy were very serious. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine made a convincing and detailed point regarding the necessity of long-range weapons.
“It is important that our partners are aware of all these details directly from me. Frankly speaking, delaying the process of our use of the appropriate weapons, which we still have a large shortage of, by the way, its use and the possibility of using it for military purposes on the territory of Russia. So the delay of this process leads to Russia moving these military targets deeper into its territory," Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that lifting restrictions on the use of long-range weapons should be part of a strategy for Ukraine's victory, not a political tactic or distraction.
"Lifting restrictions means fully lifting them. If there are talks about allowing weapons with ranges that the enemy has already used its military goals, then that is merely a political move to relieve pressure from partners, Ukraine, and journalists. True lifting of restrictions gives us the appropriate resources. If restrictions are lifted on weapons without the missiles, that is not lifting the restrictions at all," Zelenskyy said.
Background
Ukraine’s partners have placed restrictions on the use of long-range weapons provided to Ukraine. For instance, the United States has prohibited strikes on military targets located within Russian territory.
Ukraine has been urging its allies to lift these restrictions, arguing that destroying enemy military targets is a matter of self-defense.
Yesterday, September 11, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Kyiv and met with President Zelenskyy. The issue of lifting restrictions was on the agenda.
According to Bloomberg, the US has requested that Ukraine present a clear strategy for strikes on Russia. Some media have reported that the UK had already authorized Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory.
