Ukraine’s Zelenskiy States End of War with Russia Relies on Allies’ Resolve, According to Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Saturday that the resolution of the ongoing war with Russia, now spanning over two and a half years, relies heavily on the determination of Kyiv’s Western allies to supply necessary weaponry and grant permission for its use.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude towards his military forces for a recent strike on a Russian ammunition depot, though he did not disclose the specific location of the attack.

He emphasized the significance of his upcoming meetings in the United States next week, describing them as “crucial” for securing the defense capabilities required by Ukraine.

“If we could focus our precision on defending our state, with sufficient missiles and the necessary permissions from our partners, the overall situation in the war would improve for our security,” he stated. He continued, “The timeline for ending the war is tied to the resolve of our partners matching our efforts for defense, independence, and victory.”

Zelenskiy mentioned that a clear strategy would be presented to his partners and, specifically, to the President of the United States.

He regularly appeals to Ukraine’s Western allies, primarily the United States, for increased military support to counter the gradual advancement of Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. Additionally, Kyiv is seeking authorization to utilize Western weaponry against targets deep within Russia to thwart Moscow’s air attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, including energy facilities.

Ukrainian officials reported that their forces successfully targeted two munitions depots in Russia overnight, located in the Krasnodar region in the south and the Tver region in the west.

Next week, Zelenskiy will participate in sessions of the U.N. Security Council and the General Assembly. He has also arranged meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for re-election, and hopes to meet with her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.