Truth
Zelensky accuses UK of dragging heels on long-range missile deliveries
Speaking at summit with Nato defence ministers, the Ukrainian president says support from Western allies has begun to slacken
Joe Barnes, in BRUSSELS • 6 September 2024 • 6:21pmVolodymyr Zelensky accused Britain of slowing down deliveries of long-range missiles during key Nato weapons talks.
The Ukrainian president said Britain and other allies were showing a “shortage of missiles and co-operation” with fresh shipments of Storm Shadows and other ammunition.
He pleaded with London and Washington to loosen restrictions on the weapons to strike deep inside Russia as he seeks to turn the tide of Moscow’s invasion in Kyiv’s favour.
Mr Zelensky delivered his message directly to Western defence ministers on Friday during his first in-person appearance for talks at the Ramstein air base in Germany.
“We hear that your long-range policy has not changed, but we see changes in the Atacms, Storm Shadows and Scalps – a shortage of missiles and co-operation,” Mr Zelensky told the gathering.
“And this applies even to our territory, which is occupied by Russia, including Crimea. We think it is wrong that there are such steps.”
Ukraine has made repeated pleas to the UK, US and France to use the Western-supplied, long-range missiles to strike airfields, missile launchers, ammunition and fuel depots and command and control hubs on Russian soil.
Kyiv’s Western allies have allowed Ukraine to use their smaller weapons across the border, but have so far refused to budge when it comes to deep strikes.
“We need to have this long-range capability not only on the occupied territory of Ukraine, but also on the Russian territory, so that Russia is motivated to seek peace,” Mr Zelensky said at the beginning of the meeting.
The US-led Defense Contact Group is a regular gathering of more than 50 of Kyiv’s Western allies . . .
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/06/zelensky-accuses-uk-long-range-missile-deliveries/
