Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls on US to lift restrictions on Ukrainian strikes against Russian military sites deep inside Russian territory, in particular against airports. The Ukrainian head of state said this in a speech at the Reagan Institute. in Washington, reported a correspondent of the Ukrinform agency, BTA reported.
Zelensky noted that in May and June, Ukraine stopped the Russian offensive against Kharkiv, including thanks to the US permission to strike military sites on Russian territory. The Ukrainian army has also destroyed Russian rocket launchers that have been shelling Kharkiv almost daily for more than two years, the Ukrainian president said.
"Just imagine what we can achieve when all restrictions are lifted. We can also protect our cities from Russian planning bombs if the American leadership steps forward and allows us to destroy Russian warplanes at their bases. This would have an immediate result. We are waiting for this step," Zelensky said.
In addition, Kiev will be able to significantly limit the actions of the Russian army in southern Ukraine and push it out of there, "if the American leadership helps it with the necessary capabilities to carry out deep strikes against Russian forces and logistics in the Crimean peninsula" , added the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky noted that these steps would strengthen Ukraine, "as well as today's extraordinary decision by the US and Kiev's partners to supply Ukraine with an additional five Patriot air defense systems. and dozens of others, giving priority to air defense of Ukraine".
He also called on the US to support Ukraine in organizing a second peace summit this year, based on the Ukrainian formula for peace - "even more powerful and truly decisive". "We need this support from the USA,", Zelensky pointed out.
Earlier it was reported that NATO member states announced the deployment to Ukraine of five strategic air defense systems "Patriot" and SAMP-T, as well as dozens of tactical air defense systems. The three-day NATO summit in Washington ends tomorrow. The Ukrainian delegation at the forum is led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrinform points out.