Zelenskiy urges leaders to send arms, says no alternative to US aid
(Corrects to remove erroneous reference to Italy about to approve new aid package for Ukraine)
By Andrew Gray and Max Hunder
MUNICH (Reuters) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged allies at a global security conference on Saturday to plug an «artificial» shortage of weapons that is giving Russian forces the upper hand on the battlefield and said stalled U.S. aid was imperative.
Addressing the gathering of politicians, diplomats and military officials from around the world, who gave him a standing ovation, Zelenskiy mixed gratitude for the support shown by Western countries with urging them for more.
He spoke at a critical juncture in Russia's nearly two-year-old invasion of Ukraine, with his troops forced to withdraw from the devastated eastern town of Avdiivka.
Ukraine faces acute shortages of ammunition and U.S. military aid has been delayed for months in Congress.
«Unfortunately keeping Ukraine in an artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in… artillery and long-range capabilities, allows (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war,» Zelenskiy said.
He said that sending additional packages of weapons and air defences to Ukraine was the most important thing its allies could do.
«If your artillery (range) is 20 km (12 miles), but Russia's is 40 km, there is your answer,» Zelenskiy said.
Some European leaders judged the West had not done enough to help Ukraine.
«We should have supported you much more from the very beginning of this war,» said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, «because Ukraine cannot win a war without weapons. Words are simply not enough.»
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Europe should have started investing more in its defence industry
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