Zelenskyy urges US to strengthen allies in wake of Iran’s attacks on Israel
"Words do not stop drones and do not intercept missiles. Only tangible assistance does. The assistance we are anticipating," Zelenskyy said.
In a decisive response to the recent Iranian strikes on Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to bolster its allies. The call came shortly after Iran launched a series of drone and missile attacks, significantly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“Ukraine condemns Iran’s attack on Israel using Shahed drones and missiles. We in Ukraine know very well the horror of similar attacks by Russia, which uses the same Shahed drones and Russian missiles, the same tactics of mass air strikes,” Zelenskyy stated on Twitter.
The Ukrainian president drew a parallel between the tactics used by Iran in the Middle East and those employed by Russia against Ukraine, emphasizing the global threat posed by such strategies.
“Every effort must be made to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. Iran’s actions threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia’s actions threaten a larger conflict. The obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of concrete action over discussions, noting, “Words do not stop drones and do not intercept missiles. Only tangible assistance does. The assistance we are anticipating. We must strengthen security and resolutely counter all those who want to make terror a new normal.”
Amidst these developments, US forces in the Middle East intercepted over 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles as part of Iran’s assault, demonstrating the scale of the threat. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported intercepting nearly all of over 300 aerial targets.
It is critical at this juncture, according to Zelenskyy, that the United States Congress makes the necessary decisions to strengthen America’s allies. “The sound of Shahed drones, a tool of terror, is the same in the skies over the Middle East and Europe. This sound must serve as a wake-up call to the free world, demonstrating that only our unity and resoluteness can save lives and prevent the spread of terror worldwide,” the Ukrainian leader declared.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the recent large-scale Iranian attacks on the State of Israel, highlighting the potential for an unprecedented escalation in the Middle East. “The actions taken by Iran are absolutely unacceptable, irresponsible, and carry the risk of unprecedented further escalation in the Middle East. It is crucial that all efforts be made to prevent this confrontation from evolving into a larger regional conflict,” stated the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, provided additional insights in his comments to “Suspilne,” noting the effectiveness of Israel’s air defense systems in intercepting the aerial targets. “The interception of air targets was very effective. Fortunately, there is no information about injuries to Ukrainians, and it is unlikely that such information will emerge at this point,” Korniychuk said. The ambassador reported that the attack caused minor damage to an infrastructure object at a military base, resulting in injuries to one woman. He emphasized that the priority was not on whether Ukrainians were harmed but on addressing the broader implications of the attack.
“This attack once again demonstrates the importance of mobilizing all forces of the free world to protect the global borders of democracy,” added the Foreign Ministry’s statement.
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