Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane test-fired a US Tomahawk cruise missile off the US west coast on December 10, 2024. Illustrative image. PHOTO: Handout / AFP / Profimedia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged European allies to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons after failing to secure US President Donald Trump's promise to supply Kiev with powerful Tomahawk missiles, Reuters reports.
Zelenskiy, who addressed European Union leaders at the summit in Brussels, also urged them to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets and said Ukraine would use a “significant part” of the funds made available to buy weapons made in Europe.
“When we talk about long-range weapons for Ukraine, we mean that the Putin regime should feel the real consequences of this war. I urge you to support anything that helps Ukraine get such capabilities, because this really makes a difference for Russia,” he said.
“Just look at how nervous (Russian President Vladimir) Putin became when this topic was brought up. He understands that long-range weapons can really change the course of war,” the Kiev leader added.
Zelenski requested Tomahawk missiles from the United States. Trump did not rule out providing such long-range missiles to Kiev during talks in Washington with Zelenskiy last week, but appeared reserved about the prospect.
“These long-range weapons are not only in the US – some European countries have them, including Tomahawk missiles. We are already in talks with countries that can help us,” Zelenskiy said on Thursday. The Ukrainian president also asked European countries to send additional Patriot anti-aircraft defense systems, also of American production.
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a plan to use frozen Russian assets as the basis for a 140 billion euro ($163 billion) “repair loan” to Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly contested the legality of this idea.
Zelenskiy stated that the proposed mechanism is entirely “legal and fair”.
“It is a model based on the idea of future reparations – holding the aggressor accountable for the damage caused,” the Ukrainian leader added.
