Zelensky begs allies for more weapons, says the Russians must choose between “peace and Putin”

The United States announced on the same day that it will allocate an additional 250 billion dollars in military aid to Kiev.

Speaking at a meeting of Ukraine's Contact Group for Defence at the Ramstein air base in Germany, Zelensky also urged allies to allow Kiev to use weapons they supply to conduct deep attacks within Russia.

Washington has so far rejected this due to concerns that it could affect the escalation of war.

“We need these long-range weapons of action, not only on Ukraine's divided territory but also on Russia's territory, in order to motivate Russia to seek peace”, Zelensky said during meeting with American military leaders and with more than 50 partner countries.

“We need to make Russian citizens and, even Russian soldiers think about what they need: peace or Putin”, he stressed.

Russian forces have moved ahead east of Ukraine, around the town of Pokrovsk, which is a vital route for Ukraine's military supply. The Russian Army has continued to mark progress there, despite a surprising withdrawal of Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region last month.

Kiev claims to have taken control of about 1,300 miles [1,300 km] of Russian land and to have killed or injured some 6,000 Russian soldiers.

As long as this encouragement has made Russia focus on defence, “we know how much the wickedness of Putin” is, said Lloyd Austin, American Defence Secretary, speaking to the media before the meeting.

Announcing US$250m aid to Kiev, Austin said this support would provide <x0m> more weapons to meet Ukraine's continued needs”.

The Associated Press reported with sources that this support includes ammunition for accurate HIMARS rocket launcher, artillery missiles and anti-tank and antiaircraft weapons.

Since 2022 when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Protection Contact Group have assisted Kiev, along with some $106 billion in military support.

Washington, Ukraine's biggest supporter during the war, has donated over $156 billion in general, according to the Pentagon.