Zelenskyy Urges US to Lift Restrictions for Strikes Inside Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed substantial new aid and a path to NATO membership from allies. However, he urged for faster delivery and the removal of restrictions on using US weapons against Russian military targets. "If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save our country and to defend it, we need to lift all the limitations," Zelenskyy stated alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for Ukraine earlier in the day by announcing a new military aid package. He pledged to Zelenskyy, "We will stay with you, period." Despite expressing gratitude for the aid and NATO's promise of an "irreversible path" to membership, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot win the war unless the US lifts limits on using its weapons against Russian targets.

Support from NATO Allies

Stoltenberg supported Ukraine's call for more freedom to strike military targets inside Russia, citing Ukraine's right to self-defense. He noted that the war had evolved since its early days when fighting was deeper into Ukrainian territory. "Since Russia opened a new front ... the only way to hit military targets, military launchers or airfields that attack Ukraine is to hit military targets in Russian territory," he said.

The summit has been overshadowed by concerns about growing Chinese and North Korean support for Russia's invasion. It also coincides with a tumultuous American political cycle, with increasing anxiety among Democrats about Biden's ability to serve another term.

New Military Aid Package

Biden highlighted the new aid package as his eighth since taking office. This latest package includes USD 225 million of support, featuring an additional Patriot missile system to bolster Ukraine's air defenses against Russian airstrikes. The Patriot system is one of several pledges made this week at the NATO summit.

The flurry of final events at the NATO summit came a day after NATO labeled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine. In response, China accused NATO of seeking security at others' expense and warned against bringing similar "chaos" to Asia.

Global Security Concerns

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the last day of the summit in Washington. "We appreciate the close partnership with your country, and not least because our security is not regional, it is global," Stoltenberg said. He added that this is clearly illustrated by the war in Ukraine.

Stoltenberg convened NATO leaders in the alliance's main decision-making body to tackle shared security challenges. These include Russia's war against Ukraine, China's support for Russia's war economy, and the growing alignment of authoritarian powers. He emphasized that allies must work closely to preserve peace.

Commitment from Allies

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed the importance of involving all partners in discussions on ensuring stability. He noted China's strengthening ties with Russia and maritime border tensions in the Indo-Pacific region as threats to regional stability. "China is supporting a Russia in the name of this unlimited friendship. North Korea is one of the most important suppliers of raw material to Russia," Borrell told reporters.

Zelenskyy later joined allied leaders for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. This forum was set up a year ago for 32 allies and Kyiv to meet on equal footing to share concerns and information.

Path to NATO Membership

On Wednesday, NATO leaders assured Ukraine that it is on an "irreversible path" to membership. However, Ukraine can only join after the war when all conditions are met by allies. A missile attack on Ukraine's largest children's hospital on the eve of the summit underscored that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be ready for peace soon.

Many allies offered more military support during the summit. NATO launched a new program to underwrite deliveries of military equipment and coordinate training for Ukraine's armed forces. NATO members also committed to maintaining current levels of military aid — about 40 billion euros (USD 43.5 billion) annually — for at least a year.

The summit concluded with Biden addressing 32 NATO leaders in Washington during a news conference. This provided him with an opportunity to demonstrate his capability to serve another term after recent political challenges.