At the Ramstein meetings, defense ministers from Sweden, the USA, and about 50 other countries are discussing how to continue helping Ukraine against Russia's invasion. This week's meeting is the first time Ukraine's president is present.
We need capacity at longer distances, not just over occupied Ukrainian territories but also on Russian soil, he said according to news agencies.
He is referring to Ukraine having been granted extended rights to use donated weapons against Russia, but allies like the USA are still hesitant about the possibility of Ukraine using advanced weapons to attack deep into Russia.
"Like swatting flies"
This means that Ukraine often manages to shoot down most of the Russian projectiles that cross the border. But as the Kyiv Independent newspaper has formulated it in an analysis this week, "shooting down rockets while leaving the launch pads intact is like swatting flies without closing the window".
We must force Russian cities, and even Russian soldiers, to think about what they want: peace or Putin, said Zelensky.
To put force behind his words, the president will then proceed to nearby Frankfurt for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. After that, he will also travel to Italy for a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to AFP.
The talks at the Ramstein airbase are led by the USA in the form of Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, and his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson is also participating.
Packages worth billions
In connection with the meetings, several new support packages are being announced. Austin says that President Joe Biden will present new "security assistance" worth 250 million dollars (approximately 2.5 billion kronor). The UK says that air defense systems of the LMM type, worth 162 million pounds (almost 2.2 billion kronor), will start being delivered later this year.
And Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in connection with individual talks with Zelensky that his country is donating a dozen artillery pieces with a total value of 150 million euros (1.7 billion kronor).
