Ukraine war: ‘Artificial shortage’ of weapons helps Putin, says Zelensky
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an urgent plea for additional weapons to prevent a potentially “catastrophic” scenario in Europe.
Speaking at an international conference in Germany, he warned against an “artificial shortage of weapons” that would only benefit Russia.
Ukrainian forces are facing a critical shortage of ammunition, with crucial support from the United States delayed by backers of former President Donald Trump in Congress. Zelensky expressed his willingness to accompany Trump on a tour of the front lines, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
During a recent phone call, President Joe Biden reassured Zelensky of the US commitment to aiding Ukraine’s struggle against “Russia’s brutal invasion.” Biden highlighted that Ukrainian troops had to withdraw from Avdiivka due to dwindling ammunition supplies, resulting in notable gains for Russia.
Avdiivka, a key access point to the eastern regional capital of Donetsk seized by Russia, witnessed intense fighting before Ukraine’s withdrawal, as announced by its top military commander.
Zelensky took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share that he and Biden discussed the current frontline situation. He expressed gratitude for Biden’s unwavering support and hoped that Congress would act wisely in approving stalled aid for Ukraine.
Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated assurances of support to Kyiv, emphasizing that the US cannot engage in political maneuvers over military assistance. She made these remarks during a joint press conference with Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.
The gathering of world leaders and senior defense officials comes one week before the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The president told delegates that Ukrainian efforts were “limited only by the sufficiency and length of the range of our strength”.
“Keeping Ukraine in the artificial deficits of weapons, particularly in a deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war,” he said.
“Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat,” he said. “We can get our land back.”
He went on to warn that the Russian leader would make the next few years “catastrophic” for many more countries if the Western world did not stand up to him.
“Do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself, why is Putin still able to continue it?” Mr Zelensky told the conference.
Ukraine is critically dependent on weapons supplies from the US and other Western allies to keep fighting Russia – a much bigger military force with an abundance of artillery ammunition.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said help for Ukraine from the UK, the EU, and the US would make a “real difference” in the fight against Russia.
But earlier this week, the US Senate approved a $95bn (£75bn) foreign aid package – including $60bn for Ukraine – after months of political wrangling, but it faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives, where members of the Republican Party who are loyal to Mr Trump seem unwilling to pass the measure.
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Munich conference Europe should help Ukraine more because it was in its interests, and stop “all that whining and moaning about Trump”.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said a Putin victory in Ukraine was “not only a tragedy for the Ukrainians but it sends not only a message to Putin but also to [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping], that when they use military force, they get what they want.
So what happens in Ukraine today and can happen in Taiwan tomorrow? And therefore I strongly believe that it’s a good deal for the United States to support Ukraine. It’s not charity, it’s an investment into their own security.”
