BRUSSELS — President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine made one other pressing plea for assist to President Biden and members of the NATO alliance on Thursday, telling them in a closed-door session that his nation was underneath siege, trapped “within the ‘grey zone’ between the West and Russia,” based on a transcript of his remarks launched by the Ukrainian authorities.
Mr. Zelensky spoke by way of video hyperlink from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as alliance members gathered right here for the primary of three back-to-back summits designed to bolster the world’s unity of opposition to Russia’s monthlong invasion of the nation.
He argued that NATO ought to come to Ukraine’s protection though his nation just isn’t a proper member of the defensive alliance arrange after World Struggle II.
“Sure, we’re not within the alliance. And I don’t make these claims. However Ukrainians by no means thought that the alliance and the allies had been completely different,” he stated. He stated he understood the place, typically expressed by Mr. Biden, that American troops wouldn’t be despatched to Ukraine to combat straight with Russians.
“I’m certain you already perceive that Russia doesn’t intend to cease in Ukraine,” he stated. “Doesn’t intend and won’t. It needs to go additional.”
A senior U.S. administration official who watched the tackle described Mr. Zelensky’s remarks as “eloquent” and famous that Ukraine’s president didn’t name for a no-fly zone or admission to the NATO alliance.
However Mr. Zelensky did confer with his earlier requests for a no-fly zone and didn’t mince phrases in his remarks, based on the transcript.
“On Feb. 24, I addressed you with a superbly clear, logical request to assist shut our skies,” he stated, referring to earlier requests for the allies to impose a no-fly zone over his nation to maintain Russian planes away. “In any format. Defend our individuals from Russian bombs and missiles. We didn’t hear a transparent reply.”
“And also you see the implications at the moment,” he added a second later. “How many individuals had been killed, what number of peaceable cities had been destroyed?”
Mr. Zelensky has change into an increasing number of pointed in his criticism of the restraint from the US and different international locations as Russian forces have savaged many Ukrainian cities, particularly within the south.
On Thursday, he criticized the allies for failing to offer fighter jets that Ukraine may use to defend in opposition to the air assaults. The White Home and the Pentagon have stated such assist wouldn’t show particularly efficient, and might be utilized by Russia as a pretext to attract the US right into a extra direct battle.
However Mr. Zelensky waved apart such issues.
“Ukraine requested on your planes. In order that we don’t lose so many individuals. And you’ve got hundreds of fighter jets! However we haven’t been given any but,” he stated. “To save lots of individuals and our cities, Ukraine wants army help — with out restrictions.”
The senior Biden administration official stated that after Mr. Zelensky’s remarks the NATO members engaged in a dialog about the potential for offering anti-ship missile techniques to Ukraine.
However that might take time, and Mr. Zelensky closed his remarks with a plea for fast motion.
“NATO has but to point out what the alliance can do to avoid wasting individuals,” he informed the leaders. “To indicate that that is actually probably the most highly effective protection union on this planet. And the world is ready. And Ukraine could be very a lot ready. Ready for actual actions. Actual safety ensures. From these whose phrase is reliable. And whose actions can hold the peace.”