Zelensky calls on the West to force Russia by all means to peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday called on the West to force Russia to make peace by all means during a visit to Madrid that promised 1 billion Euros in military aid to Kiev, which demands it be able to use Western weapons to strike Russian territory.

Zelensky told a news conference in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, “Our soldiers are defending themselves against the Russian attack, which is why we must intensify our joint work with our partners to achieve more security and concretely force Russia to peace by all means”.

“Pressure must be put not only on Russia, but also on our partners so that they give us the possibility to defend ourselves,” the Ukrainian president said, repeating his demand for air defense systems capable of intercepting more than 3,000 guided air bombs that Russia launches at his country every month.

Less than three weeks before a summit for peace in Ukraine hosted by Switzerland, Zelensky rejected a proposal by China and Brazil to invite Russia, saying it would derail everything.

Ukraine, which is facing difficulties in several areas on the eastern and northeastern front, is demanding that Russian territory be able to strike deep with Western weapons, which the US and Europeans have so far rejected, fearing an escalation.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday at a NATO meeting in Sofia that it was time to reconsider restrictions on the use of arms supplied to Ukraine that were handcuffed from behind.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday reiterated her opposition to this, “We have to be very careful,” she said.

On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, during a visit to Kiev in early May, considered that Ukraine could use British weapons as it saw fit, noting its right to strike Russian territory.

Asked about the subject, Pedro Sanchez said on Monday he did not support it but reiterated that his country would stand by Ukraine all the time, announcing new military aid as part of a security pact with Kiev.

He added that this agreement provides for a commitment of 1 billion Euros in military aid for 2024 from Madrid, to enable Ukraine to strengthen its capabilities of defense.

Madrid has so far provided limited support to Kiev.

Ukraine, in particular, is demanding US Patriot systems to counter Russian bombing, given that it currently has only a quarter of the capabilities it needs.

Several EU countries on Monday expressed dismay over Hungary’s systematic obstruction of much-needed European aid to Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said ahead of a meeting with her EU counterparts in Brussels, “I urge Hungary to finally allow Ukraine to be helped again, in order to maintain peace”.

Hungary is using its veto power to block military aid to Ukraine, which the Europeans decided to increase by 5 billion Euros in March to more than 6.5 billion Euros.

Ukraine on Monday backtracked on an announcement that French military trainers would soon arrive in the country, indicating it was still in talks with Paris and other allies on the issue.

Kiev’s defense ministry provided a clarification after army chief Alexander Sirski said the first French military trainers would soon arrive in the country.

Ukraine’s defense ministry said in a statement, “So far we are still in discussions with France and other countries on this matter”.

Zelensky said in Madrid that his country needed seven additional Patriot systems, including at least two for Kharkov, a city about forty kilometers from the border that is under bombing.

Sanchez stressed that Spain, which has sent Patriot missiles to Kiev, “is working with various allied countries to find out exactly how many can be sent”.

Zelensky was supposed to visit Spain on May 17 but was forced to cancel his visit because of a new offensive launched by the Russian army days earlier in northeastern Ukraine.

The visit now comes as the Ukrainian military faces difficulties on the ground.

Zelensky plans to visit Belgium on Tuesday to sign a security agreement with Brussels, the Belgian prime minister’s office said Monday.