Zelenskiy Urges Allies for Expanded Weapon Use and Supply in Ukraine Conflict
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy calls for Western allies to allow and provide weapons for deep strikes into Russia. Dutch PM Schoof pledges continued support during Zaporizhzhia meeting.
In a recent development, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine, has intensified his appeal to Western allies regarding the use and supply of weapons. During a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Zaporizhzhia on September 2, 2024, Zelenskiy emphasized the need for permission to use Western-supplied weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory.
Zelenskiy stated, "For today, only to allow – is also not enough." He stressed the importance of allies ensuring the delivery of weapons capable of such attacks, noting that Ukraine had not received all the desired equipment. This request comes as Ukraine, which gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, faces increased Russian airstrikes on its infrastructure and residential areas.
The meeting in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine's sixth-largest city and the administrative center of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defenses. Air defense systems, crucial military technology used to detect, track, and destroy enemy aircraft or missiles, were a key topic of discussion. Zelenskiy mentioned "some ideas" to expand the fleet of F-16 jets donated by allies, following the recent loss of one such aircraft in Ukraine.
Schoof reaffirmed the Netherlands' commitment, stating, "We will keep providing air defense equipment, and F-16s, and funding for munitions." The Netherlands, a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy known for its expertise in water management, pledged significant financial support to Ukraine. This includes approximately 200 million euros for repairing energy infrastructure and humanitarian assistance.
"The Netherlands will deliver refurbished gas turbines with a total value of 29.5 million euros and has allocated 45 million euros for repairing energy infrastructure."
This support is part of a larger 400-million-euro aid fund the Dutch government committed to Ukraine earlier in 2024. The assistance aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict that began on February 24, 2022.
Zelenskiy also provided an update on Ukraine's military operations, including a cross-border incursion into Russia's western Kursk region. He described the operation as proceeding "according to the plan" and expressed hope that it could alleviate pressure on the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have intensified their advances.
The situation in the Donbas region, a focal point of conflict since 2014, remains challenging. Zelenskiy acknowledged the difficulties faced by Ukrainian forces in this area, particularly around Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk Oblast.
As the conflict continues, Ukraine, one of the largest countries in Europe by land area, faces ongoing challenges in defending its territory and infrastructure against Russian aggression. The international community's support, exemplified by the Netherlands' commitment, remains crucial in Ukraine's efforts to maintain its sovereignty and protect its citizens.
