Zelensky “Russia wants to deplete our troops … we need to open the weapons options”
The desire to strengthen power amid the expectation of a counterattack from Russia… Is it bad to maintain the cohesion of the West?
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Choi Jae-seo = Within days of receiving support for main battle tanks from the West, including the United States, Ukraine has begun to demand the prompt delivery of weapons and support to new weapons.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on the 29th (local time) that the situation is “very difficult” and made such a request to the West.
Long-range missiles and fighter jets are mentioned as new weapons that Ukraine is currently demanding from the West.
President Zelensky said the day before, “We need long-range missiles,” we need the ATACMS long-range missile made in the United States with a range of 297 kilometers.
On the same day, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podolyak also referred to long-range missiles and fighter jets, saying he was negotiating with allies on two aid plans.
The request for heavy weapons came days after Germany and the United States decided to send their main battle tanks, the Abrams and the Leopard 2, respectively, to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s request for heavy weapons has been repeated since the war began with the Russian invasion in February last year.
However, looking at the current situation, Ukraine has no choice but to emphasize a faster supply of weapons and support for new heavy weapons.
“The Russian offensive continues in Bakhmut and Bukledar in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky said, adding, “It is a continuous attempt to break through our defenses.”
Ukraine and Russia are fighting fiercely in the eastern region, starting with Soledar earlier this year.
Ukrainian forces recently said they had repelled a Russian offensive in Vlahodatne, eastern Donetsk Oblast, but the Wagner Group, a Russian private militia group, claims control of the area.
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The main battle tank, which the West has decided to support, is evaluated as a useful tool to block Russia’s advance in the east or break through the defense line and recapture occupied territory.
As for the Ukraine, it needs armed forces to stop the Russian advance before it occupies Bakhmut, a strategic point in Donbas, and to add strength to its offensive in the spring.
Long-range missiles and fighter jets could play an important role in helping Ukrainian forces hit rear infrastructure, such as Russian artillery bases in Crimea, Podolyak explains.
His argument is also that the aid process should be speeded up as sacrifices are made every day in the war.
President Zelensky also stressed, “Russia wants to prolong the war and exhaust our forces. Therefore, we have to hurry with our weapons (aid),” and “accelerate the supply and open up new weapons options.”
“We are doing our best to ensure that our pressure outweighs the offensive of the occupying forces,” he added.
The West has been leery of heavy weapons support for Ukraine because of the possibility of conflict and escalation with the West, which Russia pushed after the war.
In particular, long-range missiles and fighter jets are weapons that Ukraine has been reluctant to even mention because they can be used to strike the Russian mainland and escalate the war.
Even in the case of main battle tanks, they were more or less on the banned list, but support was difficult due to pressure from the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the determination of the leaders of the United States and Germany.
Long-range missiles and fighter jets may become bad news that shakes NATO’s united ranks if aid talks become operational in the future.
Eastern European countries close to Russia have shown a more active approach in providing military aid to Ukraine, feeling more insecure about their security than Western European countries.
The United States, Britain, and France, which leads NATO, have also shown different temperaments to support Ukraine amid the recent support for main battle tanks.
Politico, a US political media outlet, reported on the 28th that the US Department of Defense’s argument to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets is gaining momentum.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bobker Hoekstra also recently said that Ukraine would consider providing F-16 fighter jets “with an open mind” if needed.
However, Germany made it clear on the 25th that it was not discussing combatant support.
acui721@yna.co.kr
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2023/01/30 15:08 Send
