Zelenskyy calls on Ukraine allies to authorize long-range missile use in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an appeal during the 24th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, underscoring the need for long-range missile capabilities.  

Addressing key representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude but called for further commitment to ensure Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and reclaim occupied territories, including Crimea. 

“Thanks to our joint courage, we have implemented very important operations, in particular in Crimea. These operations allowed us to return security to the Black Sea and our food exports,” Zelenskyy acknowledged. 

However, the Ukrainian leader raised concerns about what he described as a “shortage of missiles” and a gap in cooperation on critical long-range weapon systems such as the US-made ATACMS, and the Franco-British Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles.  

“We need to have this long-range capability not only on the occupied territory of Ukraine, but also on the Russian territory, so that Russia is motivated to seek peace,” Zelenskyy said. 

France and the United Kingdom supplied Ukraine with SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles during the summer of 2023. The British-French weapon was developed in the 1990s by Matra and British Aerospace and is now manufactured by the European missile maker MBDA.   

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which convenes monthly in Ramstein, Germany, brings together defense ministers and military officials from nearly 50 countries to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.  

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