Dhe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urgently called on the EU states to supply modern tanks and anti-aircraft defense systems for the defense against Russia. In a video address at the Brussels summit on Thursday, he also asked leaders for large-scale gas and electricity supplies to compensate for the destruction of infrastructure by Russian attacks.
“I ask you to show leadership,” Zelenskyj said. “The one who will be the first to deliver modern tanks will open up the possibility of supplies from all over the world and will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders of freedom of our time.” There is no rational reason why Ukraine cannot deliver the tanks at this time should get. The same applies to long-range artillery and missile systems, which could hasten the end of Russian aggression. “All of this would mean a direct saving of millions of lives.”
Ukrainian army chief demands 300 tanks and 500 howitzers for victory
The Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Valeriy Zalushnyi, also requested new weapons for a victory over the Russian army. “I need 300 main battle tanks, 600 to 700 infantry fighting vehicles and 500 howitzers,” said the 49-year-old in an interview with the British magazine “The Economist”.
This would make it possible to push the Russian troops back to the positions before the invasion on February 24, said Zalushny. However, he is currently receiving less funding than he needs. Larger operations are thus impossible, but a new one is being worked out. “She’s on her way,” the general assured.
At the same time, Zalushnyj expects a new major Russian offensive in the coming year. “In the worst case, at the end of January,” he said. The Russians would train around 200,000 fresh soldiers for this. The Ukrainian army, for its part, is also preparing its own reserves for this purpose. He cannot yet say whether the offensive will begin in eastern Ukraine’s Donbass, in the south, or from the ex-Soviet republic of Belarus to the north, aimed directly at Kyiv. Nevertheless, sooner or later the Ukrainian capital will be a target again. “I have no doubt that they will attack Kyiv again,” Zalushnyi said.
Russia warns US against delivering Patriot missiles
Russia once again warned the United States against supplying “Patriot” air defense weapons to Ukraine. If such reports are confirmed, it would be “another provocative step” by the United States, State Department spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in Moscow on Thursday.
The United States would thus allow itself to be drawn deeper and deeper into the conflict – “with all the ensuing consequences”. Zakharova also announced that “Patriot” missiles would be targeted by the Russian army as a priority target.