Volodymyr Zelensky says he will lack four key weapons without Joe Biden's help

30 March 2024 , 17:48

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Volodymyr Zelensky fears Russian troops could 'go to the big cities' if the frontline breaks (Image: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Ukraine will be forced to retreat against Russian advances if it fails to get the military aid promised by the US, its president warns.

Volodymyr Zelensky begged his US counterpart Joe Biden to stay true to his word and send help in a phone call this week. And he admitted he fears “the Russians could go to the big cities” if the front line breaks. Mr Zelensky told the Washington Post: “If there is no US support, we have no air defence, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare, no 155mm artillery rounds… it means we will retreat in small steps.”

Mr Biden has urged the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to back a multi-billion dollar military and financial aid package. It was passed in the Senate, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed it, citing domestic priorities. Mr Zelensky said: “We can’t waste time any more. Ukraine can’t be a political issue between the parties.”

Last month, Russian forces captured Avdiivka, on Ukraine’s eastern front, and have since made a number of gains. Mr Zelensky said his army’s home-produced weapons and air defence systems “is not enough”. Some 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the war began in 2022. In February, the MoD estimated 350,000 Russian troops had been killed or injured as a result of the conflict.

Patrick Hill