At the opening meeting of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group at the US air base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again asked the Western allies for long-range missiles. In addition, the Ukrainian armed forces need more F-16 fighter jets and more air defense capabilities in order to be able to stand up to the Russian military, he said. Zelensky demanded that the Western allies ignore Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s “red lines”.
The Ukrainian president was referring to Putin’s threats regarding possible attacks by Ukraine in Russia with Western weapons. “We need more weapons to drive the Russian troops out of our territory and especially from the Donetsk region,” said Zelensky. Ukraine needs the “long-range capability” not only on occupied territory in Ukraine, “but also on Russian territory.”
The world has enough air defense systems to ensure that Russian terror does not produce results, said Zelensky. “I will not speak publicly about the number of air defense systems we have received, but the number of air defense systems that have not been delivered is significant.”
Scholz rejects attacks with German weapons in Russia
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So far, the USA and other important partners of Ukraine have only allowed limited attacks on Russian territory with Western weapons. Zelensky has long been calling for long-range weapons with which Ukraine could attack Russia even deep inland. Russia fires large parts of its missiles at Ukraine from great distances. The USA has repeatedly rejected Zelensky’s demand to use US weapons far from the Ukrainian-Russian border. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is also considered a vehement opponent of such a change of course.
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Ukraine wants peace – unlike Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Zelensky. “We must force Putin to seek peace,” he added. “We must make it so that Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about the fact that they need real peace.” Putin stands for destruction. “He wants our cities or the ruins that are left of them.”
In addition to Zelensky, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) are also taking part in the meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group. At the beginning of the meeting, Austin announced additional US aid for Ukraine in the amount of 250 million dollars. US President Joe Biden has signed a corresponding new aid package. “It will strengthen the capabilities to meet Ukraine’s changing needs,” said Austin.
Meeting between Selenskyj and Scholz in the afternoon
Zelensky is expected to travel from Ramstein to Frankfurt am Main during the course of the day and meet with Chancellor Scholz there. Both want to meet for a one-on-one meeting in the early afternoon, a government spokesman confirmed. This is Zelensky’s fifth visit to Germany since the war began. He last spoke in the Bundestag in Berlin in June.
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Austin invited the members of the contact group to the conference in Ramstein, the largest US air force base outside the United States. This includes around 50 states. It is the 24th meeting of the body, although most of the discussions took place as video conferences.
Follow current developments on the Ukraine war in our live blog.
Ukraine’s Plea for Long-Range Missiles and F-16 Fighter Jets: A Cry for Help Against Russian Aggression
As the war between Ukraine and Russia rages on, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again appealed to Western allies for military aid, specifically long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets. Zelensky’s plea comes amidst mounting concerns about Russian aggression and the need for Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities.
Zelensky’s Demands: Ignoring Putin’s “Red Lines”
At the recent Ukraine Contact Group meeting held at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, Zelensky emphasized the need for Ukraine to acquire long-range missiles, F-16 fighter jets, and enhanced air defense capabilities. He urged Western allies to ignore Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “red lines” and fulfill Ukraine’s military requirements. Putin has repeatedly threatened to retaliate against Ukraine if Western weapons are used to attack Russian territory.
Zelensky’s demands are driven by the urgent need to drive Russian forces out of Ukraine’s occupied territories, particularly in the Donetsk region. He emphasized that Ukraine requires long-range capabilities not only on occupied territory but also on Russian territory. This stance is seen as a direct challenge to Putin’s warnings against attacks on Russian soil.
Air Defense Systems: A Key to Countering Russian Aggression
Zelensky highlighted the importance of air defense systems in countering Russian terror. He claimed that the world has enough air defense systems to prevent Russian attacks from yielding results. However, he lamented that the number of air defense systems delivered to Ukraine is significantly lower than required.
Scholz’s Stance: Rejecting Attacks on Russian Territory
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany has been a vocal opponent of using German weapons to attack Russian territory. This stance is shared by the United States, which has thus far limited attacks on Russian territory using Western weapons. Zelensky has long sought long-range weapons that could enable Ukraine to attack Russia deep inland, but this demand has been met with resistance from Western partners.
Understanding the Stakes: Russia’s Military Capabilities
Russia’s military capabilities, including its ability to fire missiles from great distances, have made it essential for Ukraine to develop matching capabilities. Ukraine’s inability to counter these attacks has put its citizens at risk, with many suffering from Russian aggression.
Implications of Ukraine’s Plea: Geopolitical Ramifications
Zelensky’s demands have far-reaching implications for Ukraine’s relations with Western nations and Russia. Ignoring Putin’s ”red lines” could lead to an escalation of tensions between Russia and the West, potentially sparking a broader conflict. On the other hand, failing to support Ukraine’s military needs may embolden Russia, threatening regional stability.
Conclusion: A Cry for Help Against Russian Aggression
Ukraine’s plea for long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets is a desperate cry for help against Russian aggression. The international community must carefully weigh the stakes and consider the implications of inaction. Providing Ukraine with the necessary military aid could be a crucial step towards countering Russian aggression and ensuring regional stability.
Meta Description: Ukraine’s President Zelensky appeals to Western allies for long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets to counter Russian aggression. Will the international community respond to his plea?
Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Long-range missiles, F-16 fighter jets, Air defense systems, Olaf Scholz, Germany, United States, Military aid, Regional stability.