03/03/20243. March 2024
Zelensky is pushing for faster arms deliveries after the Odessa attack
In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Western countries to deliver missile defense systems and weapons to Kiev.
His speech came after Russian drone debris struck an apartment block in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, killing several people.
A residential building in the southwestern Ukrainian city of Odessa was damaged by a Russian drone strike. Image: Ukrainian Emergency Services Bureau/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
“Such attacks by Shahed drones have no military purpose and cannot have any,” he said. “This is terrorism aimed solely at destroying lives, solely aimed at intimidating people.”
“The world knows what can be done to counter terrorism. The world has enough missile defense systems, systems to protect against Shahed drones and missiles,” he added.
“And the delay in the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and missile defense systems to protect our people unfortunately leads to such losses, to the fact that the list of children whose lives are taken by Russia is constantly growing.”
“Ukraine asked for no more than what was necessary to protect lives,” he said. “When lives are lost and partners are simply playing internal political games or disputes that limit our defense, it is impossible to understand. This is unacceptable. And it will be impossible to forget – the world will remember it.”
Zelensky's comments come as a comprehensive US aid package for Ukraine remains stalled in the US House of Representatives.
sdi/wd (Portal, AFP, AP, dpa)