JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Europe on Thursday to speed up and increase the supply of modern weapons, as well as increase sanctions against Russia, otherwise, it will lead to a protracted war.
In a long, pointed video address to EU leaders, delivered from a train, President Zelensky said the 27-nation bloc played a key role in containing Russia, which has been invading over the past year.
Although Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged partners to increase weapons supplies, President Zelensky's comments conveyed immense frustration.
"If Europe waits, the evil side may have time to regroup and prepare for years of war. It is in your power to prevent this," he said in a speech to European Union leaders, who held talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to Reuters, March 24.
It was the European Union, he said, that had been holding off on a decision to provide long-range weapons and modern warplanes and in continuing talks to give Ukraine EU membership.
"Dear colleagues, don't you feel that our successes have been less than the delays in our joint actions? Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened. And the Kremlin saw that," President Zelensky said.
"We cannot continue to delay the transfer of weapons to our armies ... we need modern aircraft. We have already spoken about this. Is there really a rational motivation in delays regarding modern aircraft?" he explained.
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On the occasion, President Zelensky thanked Poland and Slovakia, now members of NATO and formerly part of the Warsaw Pact, for agreeing to supply Soviet-made MiG aircraft that Ukrainian pilots could fly without additional training.
It is known, Western allies have expressed their objections to sending the latest Western warplanes to Ukraine.
President Zelensky also complained that the European Union did not immediately impose more sanctions on Russia.
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