In the wake of Russia’s latest massive missile and drone attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a passionate plea to European partners, urging them to join hands in Ukraine’s defense. Drawing inspiration from the Middle East model, where Western nations and Arab partners have collaborated to protect Israel, Zelenskyy believes a similar unity in Europe could dramatically enhance Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russian aggression.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy emphasized the potential for greater protection of lives if European nations worked in concert with Ukraine’s F-16s and air defense systems. He argued that if such a united approach has proven effective in the Middle East, it must be viable in Europe as well, underscoring the shared value of life across the continent.
The Russian assault, described by Zelenskyy as one of the largest combined attacks to date, involved over 100 missiles of various types and around 100 Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones. The attack targeted critical infrastructure, including power stations and a dam, causing widespread power outages in cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Media reports indicate that a Russian missile struck the dam’s reservoir in Kyiv Sea, raising serious concerns about potential downstream flooding and loss of life.
Zelenskyy’s call for greater European involvement in Ukraine’s defense is unlikely to result in immediate policy changes. While the United States and European nations have consistently provided Ukraine with weapons, ammunition, intelligence, training, and military advice, they have maintained their position of not directly engaging in combat with Russia. Despite this, Zelenskyy insists on the urgency of a united effort to shoot down Russian missiles and drones, emphasizing the need for partners to fulfill their commitments, particularly regarding air defense systems and missiles.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy reiterated his call for permission to strike targets inside Russia, arguing that Ukraine’s long-range capabilities should not be restricted when Russia faces no such limitations. He believes that Ukraine’s defenders should not be hampered in their use of weapons while Russia deploys its entire arsenal, including Iranian Shahed drones and ballistic missiles from North Korea. He directly appealed to the United States, Britain, France, and other partners to provide the necessary support to stop what he describes as Russian terror, emphasizing that the time for decisive action is now.
The attack highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s relentless aggression. While international support has been crucial, Zelenskyy’s call for greater cooperation and a more unified response from European partners underscores the need for a collective effort to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and ensure its long-term security.
