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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted that the country’s army is not capable of recapturing the territory it currently occupies Russia without diplomatic pressure from Kiev‘s allies.
Speaking to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Zelensky said: “We cannot give up our territories.” The Ukrainian constitution forbids us to do that. [But] we don’t have the strength to recover them.
“We can only count on diplomatic pressure from the international community to force Putin to sit down at the negotiating table.
It comes as Ukraine has unveiled a laser weapon capable of shooting down drones from more than a mile away in the fight against Russian airstrikes.
Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, commander of Ukraine’s unmanned systems forces, said the laser would be capable of shooting down aircraft at a distance of more than 2 km.
“It really works; it does exist,” he said at a conference on the European defense industry, adding that efforts are underway to increase its capabilities.
The announcement came after Great Britain introduced the cutting-edge laser weapon ‘Trident’ at the beginning of this year. Then they said that they would share its prototypes with Ukraine.
Defense Minister claims Putin is showing signs of weakness as he announces £225m for Ukraine
On a trip to Kiev, John Healey said the UK would “step up” its international leadership on Ukraine next year.
“The Russians are putting Ukraine under pressure on the front line, but Putin himself is showing signs of weakness, calling on North Korean troops to reinforce his own army, abandoning Assad and failing to defend his own positions in Syria,” he added.
His visit comes after the prime minister said it would be a “big mistake” if allies did not maintain their support.
Speaking during a visit to Norway earlier this week, Sir Keir warned it was time for Kiev’s allies to “double down” on the financial commitments, sanctions and training they provide to Ukraine.
“It is important that we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position if there are to be negotiations, and even if there are no negotiations,” he said.
“But, in my opinion, it would be a big mistake to take our eye off the ball and not ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, which is why we’ve doubled down on that in the many international meetings I’ve had with our allies to discuss this.”
Barney Davis19 December 2024 00:30
UK pledges new £225m package for Ukraine amid “critical” situation
The UK has pledged a new £225m aid package to Ukraine after the defense secretary said the situation in the country was “critical”.
On a trip to Kiev, John Healey said the UK would “step up” international leadership in Ukraine in 2025, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged allies to maintain their support.
The package announced on Thursday includes £186m for military equipment through the International Fund for Ukraine, including £92m for Ukraine’s navy and £68m for air defense equipment.
The defense minister said: “Nearly three years after (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his full-scale illegal invasion, the depths of his misjudgment are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their indomitable spirit.”
“But they cannot do it alone – which is why the UK will step up our international leadership in Ukraine throughout 2025.
“We will improve our training offering for Ukraine and provide battle-winning capabilities such as drones and munitions included in our new £225m package today.
Barney Davis19 December 2024 00:01
Killing a Ukrainian bomber with a scooter could change the course of the war
Tom Watling19 December 2024 00:00
Mudryk breaks his silence after testing positive for a banned substance
Tom Watling18 December 2024 23:00
A Russian opposition figure says that fears of his mother being poisoned in Berlin have turned out to be false
Tom Watling18 December 2024 22:00
The moment a Russian general was killed by a scooter bomb in Moscow
The moment a Russian general was killed by a scooter bomb in Moscow
A senior Russian general was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden under an e-scooter outside his apartment in Moscow. A Ukrainian security service official said she was responsible for the attack. The attack came a day after Ukraine’s security services filed criminal charges against Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov for using chemical weapons during the Russian invasion. Ukrainian security services say they have recorded nearly 5,000 instances of Russia using chemical weapons on the battlefield since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Igor Kirillov was the head of the Russian military’s nuclear, biological and chemical defense forces. His assistant was also killed in the attack.
Tom Watling18 December 2024 20:00
Who was Igor Kirilov, the Russian general killed by a bomb in Moscow?
Tom Watling18 December 2024 19:00
Starmer talks to Trump about Ukraine and the Middle East
Sir Keir Starmer spoke to US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday and “reiterated the need for allies to stand together with Ukraine”, Number 10 said.
A Downing Street spokesman said in a statement that the call began with the prime minister congratulating Trump on recent appointments to his team.
The statement continued: “Both agreed on a shared ambition to strengthen the close and historic relationship between the UK and the US. They look forward to working together on common priorities, including international security and achieving economic growth and prosperity.
“Turning to global conflicts, the Prime Minister reiterated the need for allies to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest position possible.
“When it comes to the Middle East, the prime minister emphasized the need for joint work to ensure peace and security in the region.
“They agreed to keep in touch and looked forward to seeing each other as soon as possible.”
Jabed Ahmed18 December 2024 18:44