Zelensky urges leaders to send arms as ‘artificial’ shortage helps Putin
MUNICH — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies at a global security conference on Saturday to plug an “artificial” shortage of weapons that is giving Russian forces the upper hand on the battlefield and said stalled US aid was imperative.
Addressing the gathering of politicians, diplomats and military officials from around the world, who gave him a standing ovation, Mr. Zelensky mixed gratitude for the support shown by Western countries with urging them for more.
He spoke at a critical juncture in Russia’s nearly two-year-old invasion of Ukraine, with his troops forced to withdraw from the devastated eastern town of Avdiivka.
Ukraine faces acute shortages of ammunition and US military aid has been delayed for months in Congress. “Unfortunately keeping Ukraine in an artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in ... artillery and long-range capabilities, allows (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war,” Mr. Zelensky said.
He said that sending additional packages of weapons and air defences to Ukraine was the most important thing its allies could do.
“If your artillery (range) is 20 km (12 miles), but Russia’s is 40 km, there is your answer,” President Zelensky said.
Some European leaders cast a downbeat assessment of Western efforts to help Ukraine.
“We should have supported you much more from the very beginning of this war,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, “because Ukraine cannot win a war without weapons. Words are simply not enough.”
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Europe should have started investing more in its defense industry two years ago.
Along with Ukraine, the conference focused on the war in Gaza, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggesting there was “an extraordinary opportunity” in the coming months for Israel to normalise ties with its Arab neighbors.
US FUNDING
Asked about the delayed US aid after a bilateral meeting with Zelensky, US Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, denounced “political gamesmanship” in Congress that had no place in such matters.
US Republicans have insisted for months that any additional US aid to Ukraine, and Israel, must also address concerns about migration.
Meanwhile Donald Trump, frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, has said he would ask European allies to reimburse the United States for around $200 billion worth of munitions sent to Ukraine.
That has raised concerns by Kyiv and its allies that US funding for Kyiv in its war against Russia would dry up completely if Trump goes on to win a second term in the November US election.
Mr. Zelensky said there was no alternative though to US aid. —