Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized Western nations, accusing them of being too “afraid” to assist in shooting down Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine, despite actively helping Israel with its missile defense efforts.
In the face of ongoing Russian missile and drone strikes, Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s appeal for allies to help intercept these attacks from their own territories. He emphasized that doing so would protect Ukrainian civilians without endangering Russian soldiers.
“If allies are jointly shooting down missiles and drones in the sites of the Middle East, why is there still no similar decision to jointly shoot down Russian missiles and (Iranian) Shaheds in the skies of Ukraine?” Zelenskyy asked during a conference in Kyiv. He further expressed his frustration, saying, “They are afraid to even say ‘we are working on it.'”
Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is not done even when missiles and drones are literally heading for the territory of our neighbours,” which he described as “humiliating for the democratic world.”
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The reluctance of Western nations to escalate the conflict stems from concerns that such actions could be perceived as a significant provocation by Russia, potentially leading to a wider war.
Kyiv has also increased pressure on its Western allies to allow the use of advanced weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory, a move that has thus far been restricted. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that Moscow would interpret any such move as NATO nations being “at war with Russia.”
