Zelenskyy urges EU to send jets, missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the European leaders to rapidly increase the supply of modern weapons to his forces, particularly jet fighters and long-range missile systems.

Zelenskyy made the call on Thursday while addressing a summit of his EU counterparts via video link from a Ukrainian train after visiting war-ravaged areas along the front line with Russian forces.

“Delays” sending fighter jets and long-range missiles can extend the war, he said.

In a long and sharply worded address at times, Zelenskyy said it was up to the EU as a bloc to take action to contain Russia as its invasion of Ukraine enters the second year.

While he welcomed a recent EU plan to send Kyiv 1 million artillery shells, he kept up his demands for warplanes and missiles that he believes will be more effective at pushing back Russian forces.

Zelenskyy’s comments represented an unusually open display of frustration with European nations who have donated to Ukraine’s war effort. He also complained that the EU appeared to be in no hurry to impose more sanctions against Moscow.

It was the EU, the Ukrainian leader said, that had delayed decisions on providing long-range weapons and modern fighter aircraft as well as in moving forward with talks on granting his country EU membership.