Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to threaten civilian air traffic in Russia.
“Today, we want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe,” he said on Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Zelensky’s remarks amounted to “state terrorism.” “Look, I haven’t heard such statements, but if this was voiced, it is simply a bid for state terrorism.” He continued, “And I would like to note that they have been asking us to resume negotiations, seeking face-to-face meetings. Terrorists are not negotiated with.”
Zelensky’s comments come as the War in Ukraine is well into its fifth year with no end in sight. The conflict has become a war of attrition. Kiev is struggling to keep enough men on the frontlines and maintain a supply of missile interceptors.
In recent months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has begged for his Western backers to send additional Patriot interceptors to Ukraine. During a meeting with President Donald Trump in July, Zelensky requested a “winter package” of 300 Patriot missiles.
However, the shortage of Patriot interceptors has been exacerbated by the US war against Iran. The US has used about two-thirds of its Patriots during the six-month-long conflict. The lack of interceptors in US stockpiles has caused military officials to advise President Trump not to escalate the conflict against Iran.
Kiev’s hopes of European Union countries supplying Patriots to Ukraine hit a setback. On Tuesday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said a meeting of the bloc’s defense ministers resulted in no progress towards sending a new package of Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
