Zelenskiy Pressures US for Strikes Inside Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the U.S. to allow Kyiv to strike deep inside Russia, following talks with senior U.S. officials. Zelenskiy cited devastating aerial bomb attacks on Kharkiv and stressed that long-range capabilities are essential to end the war and achieve peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy intensified his call for the United States to permit Kyiv to target military sites deep inside Russian territory. This plea followed discussions between Ukrainian representatives and senior U.S. officials in Washington on Saturday, urging for permission to conduct long-range operations.

Despite receiving over $50 billion in U.S. military aid since 2022, Ukraine's use of these weapons has been confined to its own territory and defensive operations. Zelenskiy described how guided aerial bombs had recently killed six and injured 97 in Kharkiv, underscoring the need for offensive actions to deter further attacks.

In his nightly address, Zelenskiy argued that clearing Ukrainian airspace of Russian threats would compel Russia towards peace. He called on allies, including the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany, to provide both permissions and the necessary long-range capabilities. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov outlined in a CNN interview the strategic importance of targeting Russian airfields.

(With inputs from agencies.)