Brussels — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made another urgent plea for help from President Biden and members of the NATO alliance on Thursday, his country was besieged in a private session and he was announced by the Ukrainian government. According to the record of his remarks, “West and Russia”.
Zelensky spoke via a video link from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Alliance members gathered at the first summit of three consecutive summits designed to strengthen the unity of world opposition to Russia’s one-month invasion of the country.
He argued that NATO should come to the defense of Ukraine, even though his country is not an official member of the defense alliance established after World War II.
“Yes, we are not in an alliance, and I do not make these claims, but the Ukrainians never thought that the allies were different from their allies,” he said. He said he understood the position often expressed by Mr. Biden that US troops would not be sent to Ukraine to fight the Russians directly.
“I’m sure you already understand that Russia isn’t going to stop in Ukraine,” he said. “I didn’t mean it, I wouldn’t do it. I want to go further.”
A senior U.S. government official who saw the speech described Zelensky’s remarks as “eloquent,” saying that the Ukrainian president did not demand a no-fly zone or membership in the NATO alliance.
However, according to the transcript, Mr Zelensky referred to his previous request for a no-fly zone and did not chop up the words in his remarks.
“On February 24, I told you with a completely clear and logical request to help close our sky,” he banned flying to his country to keep Russian planes away. Said referring to the previous request of allies to impose a territory. “In any form. Protect our people from Russian bombs and missiles. I didn’t hear a clear answer.”
“And you see today’s results,” he added a little later. “How many people were killed and how many peaceful cities were destroyed?”
Zelensky has become increasingly pointed out in his criticism of detention from the United States and other countries, as Russian troops have attacked many Ukrainian cities, especially in the south.
On Thursday, he criticized his allies for failing to provide a fighter that Ukraine could use to defend against air raids. The White House and the Pentagon have stated that such assistance has not proven to be particularly effective and could be used by Russia as an excuse to draw the United States into a more direct conflict.
But Zelensky set aside such concerns.
“Ukraine asked for your plane. Don’t lose so many people. And you have thousands of fighters! But we haven’t been given yet.” He said. “Ukraine needs unrestricted military aid to save people and our city.”
Biden administration officials said after Mr. Zelensky’s remarks that NATO members had discussed the possibility of providing Ukraine with an anti-ship missile system.
However, that could take some time, and Zelensky concludes his remarks calling for an immediate response.
“NATO has not yet shown what the alliance can do to save people,” he told leaders. “To show that this is really the most powerful defense union in the world. And the world is waiting. And Ukraine is very waiting. Waiting for the actual action. Real security guarantee. That word is trustworthy. From those who can. And that action can keep peace. “
