Zelenskyy calls on US to allow to destroy Russia's aircraft in Russia

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, called on the United States to allow Ukraine to destroy Russian aircraft on the territory of the Russian Federation, as this would protect Ukrainian cities from anti-aircraft missiles.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, with a link to the YouTube channel of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

As an example, the head of state mentioned Kharkiv and the US decision, which stopped the Russian offensive and constant strikes on the city.

"In May-June, we achieved a significant victory, we stopped the Russian advance on Kharkiv, the second-largest Ukrainian city, which is close to the Russian border. The Russian army was ordered to go into the zone of artillery damage around Kharkiv, but the courage of our men and women and also the American permission to strike military targets in Russia did their job. And I am grateful to you, to President Biden, for this permission, and to everyone in Congress who helped.

This Russian offensive has stalled and we are pushing back the Russian army from the areas near Kharkiv. We also destroyed the launchers of the Russian missiles that were hitting Kharkiv every day for more than two years, and this provided Kharkiv with protection from missile attacks," Zelenskyy said.

He noted that if all restrictions are lifted and Ukraine is allowed to destroy Russian aircraft on Russian territory, it will allow Ukraine to protect other cities.

"Imagine how much we can achieve when all restrictions are lifted. Also, now that we can protect our cities from Russian anti-aircraft missiles, if American leadership steps forward and allows us to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases, that will also bring an immediate result and we are waiting for this step," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The head of state also noted that Ukraine can significantly limit Russian actions in the south and displace the Russians if the US helps with long-range capabilities.

"And we can significantly limit Russian actions in southern Ukraine and push the occupier out of there if American leadership helps us with the necessary long-range capabilities against the Russian army and logistics in our Ukrainian Crimea. And we are talking about this with all our partners, and all these steps will strengthen us, as it is today. The unique decision of the US and partners to provide Ukraine with an additional five Patriot air defense systems and also to prioritize anti-aircraft interceptors for Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are grateful for this," Zelenskyy emphasized.

In addition, the President of Ukraine stated the need for leadership that works every day.

"Now we need exactly this - leadership that does not wait for November (referring to the US presidential election), but acts, acts now, acts every day, strongly, so that our enemies, such as Putin, fear us," the president said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 10/07/2024