Zelenskyy asks US, UK, France and Germany to let Ukraine use their long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — Saturday, 31 August 2024, 21:00

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the US, the UK, France and Germany to allow Ukraine to deploy Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike military targets in Russia; he also asked for additional long-range munitions and missiles.

Source: President Zelenskyy’s video address on 31 August

Quote from Zelenskyy: "A Ukrainian delegation – the first deputy prime minister, the minister of defence, officials from the General Staff [of the Armed Forces of Ukraine], and the head of the Office [of the President of Ukraine] – is currently in Washington. They held meetings at various levels. One of the most important issues for us is the [possibility of using Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia], which holds the key to preventing all the terror that Kharkiv and other cities and localities in Ukraine are forced to go through.

Clearing the Ukrainian skies from Russian glide bombs would be a decisive step to force Russia to bring the war to an end and accept just peace. Ukrainian representatives have given our partners all the information they need.

So I am asking the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany: we need a chance to truly and fully protect Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We need permissions [to use long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia], and we need your long-range munitions and missiles. These vital decisions cannot be put off because they can impact the current situation in the most beneficial ways."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that there is only one way to stop Russian attacks from the air: "by striking Russian military airfields, their military bases, and the logistical hubs of Russian terror".

He also said that Ukrainian representatives were in dialogue with Kyiv’s partners about the need for more air defence systems for Ukraine, especially ahead of the new school year (which starts on 2 September).

"We already have agreements with you regarding air defence systems and missiles. It’s crucial that they are fulfilled as soon as possible. We are currently working even harder than usual to secure additional air defence systems," Zelenskyy said.

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