Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had told European leaders to rapidly increase the supply of modern weapons to their forces, particularly fighter jets and long-range missile systems, otherwise they should prepare for the war drags on for years.
Speaking on a train to Kiev after his third visit in two days to war-torn areas near the front lines in southern and eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy gave an emotional account of what he had seen while on his way to a summit of leaders of the European Union meeting. in Brussels via video link, an EU official said.
In a long and sometimes pronounced speech, Zelenskyy said on Thursday it was up to the EU as a bloc to take steps to contain Russia as its invasion of Ukraine enters the second year.
While he welcomed a recent EU plan to send Kiev 1 million artillery shells, he stood by his demands for fighter jets and missiles that he believes will be more effective in pushing back Russian forces.
Zelenskyy’s comments represented an unusually open display of frustration with European nations that have donated to Ukraine’s war effort. He also complained that the EU seemed in no hurry to impose more sanctions against Moscow.
“If Europe waits, the evil may have time to regroup and prepare for years of war. It is in your power to prevent this, ”he told the EU leaders.
If Europe hesitates, evil can prepare for years of war, it is in its power not to allow this to happen – Speech by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the participants of the European Council meeting ➡️ https://t.co/7SLNOT3Q9S
— UKR Mission to the EU (@UA_EUMission) March 23, 2023
It was the EU, the Ukrainian leader said, that delayed decisions on the supply of long-range weapons and modern combat aircraft, as well as on advancing talks to grant his country EU membership.
“Dear colleagues, don’t you feel that we have had less success than delay in our joint actions? Unfortunately, that is the case. And the Kremlin sees that, ”he said.
“We cannot continue to delay the transfer of weapons to our soldiers…we need modern aircraft. We have talked about this. Is there really any rational motivation behind the delays related to modern aircraft?
“God forbid anyone in the the world should see its cities empty due to the threat of terrorist attacks, like Kramatorsk or dozens of other cities in Donbas,” Zelenskyy said, reflecting on his visit to the front.
“God forbid anyone sees this happen in their own country.”
Zelenskyy also thanked Poland and Slovakia, now NATO members and formerly part of the Soviet Union-era Warsaw Pact, for agreeing to supply Soviet-made MiG jets that Ukrainian pilots can fly without additional training. Other Western allies have expressed stern reservations about sending updated Western fighter jets to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s 48-hour visits away from kyiv this week came as improving weather sets the stage for possible new offensives by both sides.
Harsh winter weather, followed by mud as the ground thawed, has prevented significant change on the battlefield, and the war has largely stalemate in recent months.
But Zelenskyy’s plea to the EU also came as Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, seemed to hint at a long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive when he said Thursday that his forces planned to take advantage of the fact that Russian troops appeared to be “exhausted” near Bakhmut, the scene of the longest and bloodiest battle since last year’s invasion of Moscow.
“The aggressor has not given up hope of taking Bakhmut at all costs despite losses in manpower and equipment,” Syrsky said.
“Sparing nothing, they are losing significant strength and running out. Very soon we will seize this opportunity, as we did near Kyiv, Kharkiv, Balakliya and Kupiansk,” he said, referring to the successful Ukrainian counteroffensives last year.
Kyiv sees Bakhmut as key to containing Russian forces along the entire eastern front.
The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group said this week that his forces controlled about 70 percent of Bakhmut. A Russian aide in the wider Donetsk region said the city was “practically surrounded.”
