Zelensky told the EU leaders that he is counting on the European “Tomahawks”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European Union to strengthen Ukraine’s long-range capabilities so that “Putin’s regime feels the real consequences of this war.” He emphasized this while addressing the EU leaders at the summit in Brussels on October 23, RFE/RL correspondent reports.

“I urge you to support everything that helps Ukraine to get such [далекобійні – ред.] opportunities – because it really matters for Russia. And such weapons are not only available in the USA – they are also available in some European countries, including Tomahawks. We are already in talks with countries that can help. Just look at how worried Putin was when this topic came up. He understands that long-range weapons can really change the course of the war,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

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The Ukrainian leader added that now Ukraine is living in a cycle when “the Russians are destroying, and we are rebuilding.” Zelenskyi mentioned recent attacks: in particular, a drone attack on a kindergarten in Kharkiv, as well as regular attacks on energy infrastructure facilities in Chernihiv Oblast.

“This is not just a local problem or a conflict between two countries somewhere far away. It becomes part of what future wars might look like. Russia turns anything destructive into a tool of war… And if Russia is not punished for this, it will pose a threat to other countries as well,” Zelensky emphasized.

The Ukrainian president also called on his colleagues to effectively implement the 19th package of sanctions approved today, and to make a decision as soon as possible on a reparation loan for Ukraine, the basis of which should be Russian frozen assets. Zelensky noted that he will take into account the concerns of individual member states regarding the spending of these funds by Ukraine.

Read also: The Prime Minister of Belgium urged to take into account the risks regarding the loan to Ukraine, otherwise “I will do everything possible to block it”

“You hold huge funds that can really support the stability of Ukraine – and at the same time contribute to the development of Europe itself. We plan to use a significant part of these funds for the purchase of European weapons,” Zelensky emphasized. This moment was fundamental for, in particular, France.

The Ukrainian president called on his colleagues to be flexible in the matter of air defense. According to him, there is a queue for American Patriot systems, which have proven their effectiveness in shooting down ballistic missiles in Ukraine – “some countries are ahead of us.”

“We propose to change the order – if we get the systems now, we are ready to return or replace them later… In wartime, saving lives should be a priority,” Zelenskyy said.

Commenting on the PURL program, under which NATO allies buy American weapons for Ukraine, the Ukrainian president noted that “not all the promised contributions have already arrived.” He also occasionally called on the states to join. Today, this decision was announced by Spain, which was criticized by the US president for not spending enough on defense.

Zelenskyi also called for joint efforts in the joint production of weapons and emphasized that he expects progress in negotiations with the EU on Ukraine’s membership.

“It’s unfair, and it’s not to our benefit, nor to Europe. Ukraine met all the requirements to open these clusters on time. The blockage is artificial and we have to find a way to move forward. I call for finding a way for the EU to keep its promises, just as Ukraine keeps its promises,” Zelenskyy summed up.