Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has implored the West to compel Russia to peace "by any means", amidst Ukraine’s demands for the use of western arms to target Russian territory.
"Our soldiers are defending against Russian aggression, hence our collective efforts with partners to achieve more security and the tangible coercion of Russia to peace by any means," he said.
Struggling along north-east and eastern frontlines, Ukraine is making a case for the ability to strike Russian positions and bases in Russia, with Western weapons, a move opposed by the USA and Europeans. They fear this would give the Kremlin’s forces an advantage and prompt escalation.
Kyiv also urges its allies to provide more air defence systems to counter Russian bombings, contending that it currently only has a quarter of the resources needed.
Zelenskyy noted that Russia is launching over 3,000 guided aerial bombs on his country monthly, primarily from its territory. He argued that if Ukraine had more anti-aircraft resources, particularly American-made Patriots, Russian aircraft would be unable to approach and drop as many.
"These bombs are being used by Russia from its aircraft, and if you have modern systems, Patriot systems, these planes won’t fly so close to deploy these bombs against civilians and soldiers," he argued.
"We are asking the world to help us by providing at least seven additional Patriot systems. We need at least two systems for Kharkiv," the country’s second largest city, located around 40 kilometres from the Russian border and bombarded by Russian strikes in recent months.
