Ukraine wants NATO to send more troops, Russia to practice nuclear missile units

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky called on North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states to send troops to supplement the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU).

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kiev on October 3. (Source: Telegram Volodymyr Zelensky)

At a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on member countries of this military alliance to send soldiers to supplement the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU).

“Our message to all countries is to prepare brigades that can be a reserve force and replace our depleted manpower on the battlefield,” Mr. Zelensky stressed.

In another development on the same day, speaking at the Royal Institute of International Relations, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Valery Zaluzhny said that the country is in a state of "protracted conflict" from which it is almost impossible to escape.

In addition, Mr. Zaluzhny also criticized the West for not providing enough weapons to Kiev in 2023.

According to Mr. Zaluzhny, Ukraine has not achieved "significant successes" in the counterattack because of this.

“As a result, we are in a state of protracted conflict. In my opinion, there is almost no way out of this protracted conflict,” Mr. Zaluzhny asserted.

In addition, according to Mr. Mark Rutte, NATO is establishing a new command in Wiesbaden (Germany) to coordinate aid and training for the Ukrainian army, as well as fulfill its commitment to provide Kiev with 40 billion Euros in military assistance.

Mr. Rutte emphasized that NATO allies have provided 20.9 billion euros in military assistance to Ukraine in the first half of 2024 and are on track to meet their commitments in the coming time.

"NATO is supporting Ukraine, we will continue to do so," Mr. Rutte said.

But despite Mr Rutte’s reassurances, concerns about Western support are growing as the US election approaches. Republican candidate Donald Trump has expressed a desire to “get America out” of the conflict, raising concerns that Mr Trump could reduce or withdraw support for ally Ukraine.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on October 17 that it had taken control of the village of Maksymilianivka, less than 10 km from the city of Kurakhove in eastern Donetsk.

The capture of the city of Kurakhove is one of Russia's strategic moves in its special military strategy. Russia has been trying to reach the logistics center of Pokrovsk, about 50 km to the north.

In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry also said on October 18 that Moscow's strategic nuclear force commanders will check the combat readiness of units stationed in the town of Bologoye.

The exercise will include maneuvers and deployment of mobile Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ukraine-mong-muon-nato-bo-sung-binh-si-nga-dien-tap-cac-don-vi-ten-lua-hat-nhan-290492.html