Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that they also need long-range missiles and fighter jets.

(Associated Press)

[Central News Agency] After Germany announced the provision of German-made Leopard 2 tanks, US President Joe Biden also decided to provide Ukraine with 31 US-made M1 Abrams tanks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that they also need long-range missiles and fighter jets.

Agence France-Presse reported that ignoring the stern warning from the Moscow authorities, the United States echoed Germany's release of military aid Leopard 2 tanks. It also announced earlier today that it would provide 31 US-made M1 Abrams tanks to help Ukraine fight Russia.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who turns 45 today, thanked Biden on Twitter for the "strong" decision, saying it was "an important step on the road to victory."

The Kyiv authorities finally breathed a sigh of relief after the United States and Germany announced that they would provide tanks to Ukraine, which had been asking Western countries for months to provide heavy tanks to assist in combat operations.

But Zelensky also said today that he hopes Western countries can provide long-range missiles and jet fighters to Ukraine.

Zelenskiy today thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Biden for their decision to provide Ukraine with heavy combat vehicles, but said Ukraine needed more weapons, including long-range missiles and warplanes.

"I spoke to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg today, and we have to release long-range missiles to Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video chat. It is very important that we expand our cooperation on artillery."

He said Ukraine also needed jets, "it's a dream, it's a mission".

In addition, Zelensky urged Western countries to send the tanks quickly and in sufficient numbers. "Speed ​​and scale are the key now."

Zelensky also said that Russia must be defeated, "The more our heroes on the front line receive defense support from the world, the sooner Russia's aggression will end."