Ukraine’s Zelensky urges Europe to help down Russia’s missiles and Iran-made drones
President appears to compare situation to Tehran’s attack on Israel in April and appeals for similar regional coalition, made up of European countries, to protect Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday urged European nations to help down drones and missiles over Ukraine in the wake of deadly Russian aerial bombardments across his country.
He said a Russian barrage hit Ukraine Monday with more than 100 missiles and around 100 Iranian-made Shahed drones, including in several western regions neighboring or near European countries. In one instance, an object that crossed into Polish airspace during the intense barrage was determined by the Polish army to most likely be a Russian drone.
Appealing for more regional support, Zelensky said in a post on social media that was “crucial that our partners uphold the commitments we’ve made together, in particular regarding air defense systems, missiles for them.”
“Beyond that,” he continued, “we must finally unite in our efforts to shoot down Russian missiles and drones.”
“Today, their targets were in Volyn, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil regions. Across Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors operated in concert with our F-16s and air defense systems.
“If such unity has proven effective in the Middle East, it must work in Europe too. Life holds the same value everywhere,” he added, apparently referring to the US-led coalition that helped Israel shoot down Iranian projectiles in an unprecedented attack in April.
He also once again urged Ukraine’s allies to drop restrictions on the use of long-range weapons, which Kyiv wants to use to launch strikes deeper inside Russian territory.
“Putin can only act within the limits the world sets for him. Weakness and inadequate responses fuel terror,” he said. “Every leader, every one of our partners, knows the decisive actions required to end this war justly. Ukraine cannot be constrained in its long-range capabilities when the terrorists face no such limitations.
“Our defenders cannot be restricted in their weapons when Russia deploys its entire arsenal, including ‘Shaheds’ and ballistic missiles from North Korea,” Zelensky added. “America, Britain, France, and our other partners have the power to help us stop this terror. The time for decisive action is now.”
