Selenskyj gives a date for the end of the war – and calls for western fighter jets

Western fighter jets are necessary for global security, according to the Ukrainian president – and could soon end Russian aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the international community for warplanes to counter Russian aggression. The international community has also moved on other weapon systems, Zelenskyj said in a video message on Friday. The appeal was aimed at politicians, the military and experts at the Munich Security Conference.

There is a coalition to supply main battle tanks, the taboo on long-range artillery shells has been lifted, the president said. “The world has already heard how necessary it is for global security to create an aircraft coalition for Ukraine.”

In the city of Bakhmut in the east, which had been fought over for months, the Ukrainian defenders came under increasing pressure. According to their boss Yevgeny Prigoschin, the Russian mercenary force Wagner conquered the strategically important military location Paraskovijivka north of Bakhmut. This increases the danger that the Ukrainians will be cut off from supply and retreat routes.

Russia invaded the neighboring country on February 24 almost a year ago. Saturday marks the 360th day of Ukraine’s defensive struggle. However, in the understanding of most Ukrainians, the war started in 2014. At that time, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and sent soldiers to the Donbass in eastern Ukraine.

Zelenskyj reported to the home audience on Friday evening what he said at the opening of the Munich Security Conference. “Ukraine’s core message at the security conference is clear: we must do everything we can to derail Russian aggression this year,” he said. That is possible, but it can only be achieved “if Ukraine gets the weapons it needs.”

Just as with the tanks, one can responsibly say in advance “that the problem of the planes will be solved,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, according to the Kiev media in Munich. “It will take a little more time.” The discussion about the planes will be structured differently than about the tanks. “But that work has already begun,” Kuleba said. The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Kubrakow asked in Munich to help Ukraine with cluster munitions and phosphorus incendiary bombs.

The debate about warplanes is also gaining momentum in Washington. In the US House of Representatives, Democratic and Republican politicians addressed President Joe Biden directly in a joint letter on Thursday: US fighter jets “could be crucial for controlling Ukrainian airspace this year,” the five lawmakers argue in the letter the “Politico” portal.

Especially in view of the new Russian offensive that is now starting and the intense fighting expected this year, the delivery of combat aircraft is important to protect Ukrainian airspace. “F-16 or similar fourth-generation aircraft” would enable Ukraine to intercept Russian air-to-air missiles and drones and provide combat support to Ukrainian ground forces, it said.

The letter was initiated by Democratic Congressman Jared Golden and was signed by two other Democrats and two Republicans.