Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed a New York Times report that he has asked the US for Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of a secret component of his so-called victory plan. As part of a ‘non-nuclear deterrent package’, as the newspaper writes.
“This was classified information between Ukraine and the White House,” he told reporters in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. He was visibly irritated: “How are you supposed to understand this news? So that means there is no confidential information between partners,” he noted.
If Ukraine were to receive medium-range weapons such as the Tomahawks from the US, it would be a “preventative measure,” according to the Ukrainian president. A senior US official told the New York Times that this was a completely unfeasible request.
Ukraine relies on deterrence
Nearly two weeks ago, Zelensky presented a five-point plan to end the war with Russia, which has been going on since February 2022, on Ukrainian terms. This, including the secret part, had previously been presented in Washington.
In particular, the plan includes Ukraine’s requested invitation to join the Western military alliance NATO and arming the country to deter Russia from further aggression.
Tomahawk cruise missiles have a maximum range of more than 2,400 kilometers and can theoretically reach major Russian cities such as Saint Petersburg, Moscow or Yekaterinburg in the Urals from Ukrainian territory.
Kiev wants to bring the war back to Russia
In presenting his victory plan, Zelensky also reiterated his intention to bring the war started by Moscow back to Russia so that the Russians would rise up against their government.
Source: Krone
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