Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted on Friday that Ukraine needs tanks, specifically Leopards, and asked the Contact Group discussing military supplies to kyiv for more equipment.
“We appreciate all the support received so far – and their anti-aircraft systems – but we need artillery and tanks,” said the Ukrainian leader at the opening of the sessions of the international meeting that will take place at the US Ramstein base. in Germany.
“Time is a decisive factor,” stressed the Ukrainian head of state. “We have to act quickly, time must be on our side, it must be one of our weapons, like armored fighting vehicles and air defense systems,” he said.
This war started by Russia “does not admit delays,” added Zelensky, who appreciated the support provided so far, but stressed that kyiv needs more “urgent support.”
According to Zelensky, Russia “does not only want Ukraine. He wants more. He wants to destroy the values of freedom and human rights. Ukraine fights on its own territory for peace and to keep the value system upright.”
The Ukrainian head of state stressed that the possible deployment of F-16 fighter-bombers and long-range missiles should be addressed at the next meeting.
“You have the power to put these means in our hands to defend ourselves but also to defend you, as well as to defend peace and freedom in general,” he said.
Zelensky’s intervention followed a message from US Defense Secretary Lluyd Austin, who urged members of the Contact Group to “increase aid.”
On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced that “there are three priorities of Ukraine in Ramstein.”
“The first is air defense systems,” says the kyiv statement quoted by the Ukrinform agency.
Secondly, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls on international allies for “weapons for offensive operations (tanks, howitzers and ammunition)”.
Finally, the ministry refers to the priority of an “ammunition supply system”, also highlighting the importance of means of “maintenance and repair of weapons and equipment”.
Source: TSF
