Zelenskyy’s Appeals for Long-Range Missiles: Western Hesitation Amid Escalating Russian Strikes

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Friday meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. / Source: Andreas Arnold/picture alliance/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is intensifying his appeal to Western allies for long-range missile supplies, but resistance is mounting. On Friday, Zelenskyy called on the West to approve the use of these critical weapons against Russian forces, citing Ukraine’s struggles to hit Russian targets in occupied regions.
During a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with defense ministers from allied nations, Zelenskyy raised alarms about the shortage of missiles and declining military aid from key partners like the U.S., U.K., and France—despite earlier commitments of steadfast support. He underscored the need for long-range capabilities, not only to target occupied Ukrainian territories such as Crimea but to also reach Russia itself, aiming to push Moscow toward a peaceful resolution. As The Guardian reported, Zelenskyy warned that without this assistance, Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression would be severely weakened. 
This growing reluctance from Western powers raises a pivotal question: how committed are they to ensuring Ukraine’s victory in the face of a prolonged and brutal conflict? For Zelenskyy, securing these weapons isn’t just about military strategy—it’s about pressuring Russia to seek peace, while ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty isn’t sacrificed to diplomatic hesitation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged Ukraine's request for long-range missiles but stressed that no single military asset would determine the outcome of the war. "There’s no one capability that will in and of itself be decisive in this campaign," Austin told reporters, reaffirming ongoing support for Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Austin also noted that Russia has relocated its aircraft out of the range of ATACMS missiles and highlighted Ukraine's existing capabilities, such as drones, to strike Russian targets. "Russia is a big country with many targets," Austin said, emphasizing Ukraine's ability to leverage its drone technology, as reported by Reuters.
Despite calls from countries like Lithuania and Estonia to expand long-range missile capabilities, many Western allies remain cautious about authorizing strikes deep into Russian territory, fearing an escalation of the conflict.
Austin's comments appeared to focus more on the broader effort to sustain Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces. He announced an additional $250 million in security aid and emphasized the shared urgency of the situation, saying, "We hear your urgency. And we share it."
Zelenskyy's concerns come as Ukraine braces for a tough winter and navigates the complexities of international support, with some key allies showing reluctance to provide the full range of military aid necessary for long-range strikes. Kyiv argues that it is at a disadvantage, as Russia continues to bomb military and civilian sites across Ukraine, while Western allies limit Ukraine's ability to strike Russian airfields, military bases, and infrastructure in response.
This week, a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava killed at least 51 people at a military training facility. Another rare attack on the western city of Lviv claimed the lives of seven people, including four members of one family.

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