President Zelensky Asks West To Allow Long-range Attacks On Russia And Increase Arms Supply

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday Western allies should not only allow their weapons to be used for attacks deep within Russia, but also supply more weapons to Kyiv themselves.

After a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Zaporizhia City, southeastern Ukraine yesterday, President Zelensky said Kyiv was "more positive" about the prospect of obtaining the permit.

"For now, it's not enough to allow it," he said, adding allies had to confirm the shipment of weapons for use in the attack.

"We don't get everything we want to use," added President Zelensky.

Ukraine has long urged its partners to allow it to fire Western weapons at targets far away in enemy territory.

The call got louder as Russian airstrikes escalated against Ukraine's energy installations, other infrastructure, and residential buildings.

President Zelensky further explained that several agreements on supply had not been fulfilled.

He said he had discussed with PM Schoof about strengthening Ukraine's air defenses. He mentioned there were "several ideas" on how to add to the F-16 jet fleet donated by allies, after one of them disappeared in an accident in Ukraine last week.

"We will continue to provide air defense equipment, and the F-16, as well as ammunition funding," said PM Schoof.

He added that the Netherlands would provide around 200 million euros to Ukraine to support improvements to energy infrastructure and humanitarian aid.

The Netherlands will ship an updated gas turbine with a total value of 29.5 million euros and has allocated 45 million euros for energy infrastructure improvement, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The money came from the 400 million euros aid fund promised by the Dutch government to Ukraine earlier this year.