News / Russia / More

Ukraine asks for 'accelerated' arms supplies from Western allies

Friday, 03 February 2023 6:34 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 03 February 2023 6:59 PM ]

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference on the sidelines of a European Union (EU) summit in Kiev, Ukraine on February 3, 2023. (Photo via Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Kiev forces would be able to make advancements in eastern Ukraine's pro-Russia regions if the former Soviet republic's current Western backers sped up weapons deliveries.

"If weapon [deliveries] is accelerated, namely long-range weapons, we will, not only, not withdraw from Bakhmut, we will begin to de-occupy Donbas, which has been occupied since 2014," Zelensky told reporters after a summit with senior EU officials in Kiev on Friday.

In the most recent move to arm Kiev forces to fight against Russia, Germany approved the export of Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine from industry stocks, a government spokesperson confirmed on Friday at a regular news conference in Berlin.

“I can confirm that an export permit has been issued,” the spokesperson said. He declined to comment on the number of tanks that would be exported.

German newspaper SZ reported earlier on Friday that Rheinmetall and the Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft were poised to refurbish dozens of Leopard 1 tanks in order to supply them to Kiev forces.

Last month, the United States also agreed to deliver combat tanks to Kiev to be used against Russian forces.

US tanks to take Ukraine war to next level despite Russia's warnings

US-made Abrams tanks are to take the Ukraine war to the next level despite Russia warning against more carnage.

Oleksii Reznikov, a Ukrainian war official, has said tanks supplied by the NATO states would serve as an "iron fist" against the Russian military.

The official added, however, that the West must supply Kiev forces with 155mm guns to stop the Russians from gaining territory.

In the meantime, the European Union also pledged to support Ukraine, despite making no promises of fast-tracking Kiev's accession to the bloc.

Zelensky had hoped the EU would put Ukraine on a rapid road to EU membership.

The European Union said Brussels will support Ukraine at the summit held in Kiev as air raid sirens wailed on Friday, but set "no rigid timelines" for its accession to the wealthy bloc.

Kiev applied to become an EU member shortly after Russia launched its 'special military operation' almost a year ago.

Moscow has repeatedly asserted that Russian forces will achieve the set objectives in the region sooner or later.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk