Zelenskyy on hitting Russia with Western weapons: Permits alone won't suffice
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine expects more from its Western partners than just permission to carry out strikes on Russia. Ukrainian soldiers need the appropriate weapons, states Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing in Zaporizhzhia.
According to him, Ukraine is currently working with partners to obtain permission to strike Russian territory using the provided weapons. This matter depends on the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, as they have the relevant missiles and drones.
"As of today, mere permission is not enough. It’s not just about getting the approval; we also need to receive this (long-range weaponry). We have not received everything we would like to use. And this is not just a fantasy; there were agreements to obtain all of it," the President emphasized.
Background
It is worth noting that Ukraine’s partners are restricting its use of the provided weaponry, particularly concerning strikes on Russian territory.
Specifically, US authorities have decided to allow Ukrainian forces to attack only areas of Russian territory near the border. However, strikes on enemy airfields, where strategic and tactical aviation is stationed, are prohibited.
As a result, Ukraine cannot prevent constant Russian strikes with guided aviation bombs on civilian cities, as the only way to combat them is to destroy their carriers.
John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House National Security Council, stated that the US will continue to discuss the issue of strikes on Russia with Ukraine, but these discussions are held privately.
Recently, The Times reported that the US has been unable to respond for a month to Britain’s request to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory using Storm Shadow missiles.
