President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has expressed frustration over the delay of Western allies in making military decisions regarding support for Ukraine. In a recent interview with Reuters in Kyiv, Zelenskyy urged allies to intercept Russian missiles over Ukraine and allow Kyiv to use Western weapons against enemy military forces. He also suggested that neighboring NATO countries’ armed forces could intercept incoming Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory. The delay in key military decisions by Western allies has put more pressure on Ukraine as the conflict with Russia continues along more than 1,000 km of front lines in the country.
In recent weeks, Moscow’s troops have made incursions into northeastern Ukraine, further straining Kyiv’s defenses. Zelenskyy expressed that the situation on the battlefield is one of the most difficult he has faced since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. He highlighted that there are fierce battles in the east of the country, specifically in the Donbas region. Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy noted that the situation north of Kharkiv is now under control. The Ukrainian president emphasized the urgent need for faster military aid from the United States and other partners to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy called on his allies to be more directly involved in the war, understanding their concerns about antagonizing Russia. He proposed that the armed forces of neighboring NATO countries could intercept incoming Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory to help Kyiv protect itself. With Russia firing thousands of missiles and drones at Ukraine, air defense is a priority for Kyiv. Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine is waiting for the delivery of U.S.-designed F-16s, urging countries to use their weapons to strike Russian military hardware at the border and further inside Russian territory.
Ukraine is preparing for international talks in Switzerland next month, excluding Russia, to unify and harden opinion against Moscow. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of having as many countries around the table as possible, putting pressure on Russia to withdraw. The Ukrainian president also addressed concerns about U.S. politics, noting that a win for Republican candidate Donald Trump in November elections could raise concerns about support for Ukraine. He expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian people for their resilience and stated that despite setbacks, Ukraine could still win the war, emphasizing the importance of continuing the fight for victory.
Reflecting on the conflict with Russia, Zelenskyy reiterated that he had not broken agreements with allies not to use their weapons inside Russia, recognizing the risks involved. He emphasized the need for a change in the paradigm of decision-making to support Ukraine effectively. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with efforts to unify and strengthen opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Zelenskyy remains optimistic about Ukraine’s ability to emerge victorious from the conflict, highlighting the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
