Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday made an urgent appeal to international allies, calling for accelerated military aid to support Kyiv’s forces, which are struggling against better-equipped Russian troops on multiple fronts.
Zelensky issued the plea during a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, ahead of a critical summit in Brussels with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and several European leaders. He noted that discussions in Brussels would focus on “how to urgently strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield, politically, and geopolitically.”
Ukrainian forces are facing mounting challenges, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces on Tuesday claimed to have captured a village near Kurakhove, a strategically important and resource-rich area that Moscow is reportedly close to fully occupying.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky revealed that Russian troops have been conducting “intensive offensive operations” in the Kursk region for three consecutive days. Ukrainian forces had seized parts of the Kursk region in a surprise cross-border operation in August, but the tide appears to have turned, with Russia now pressing its advantage.
Both sides are racing to strengthen their positions on the battlefield ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has expressed a desire to end the war quickly, raising concerns that he might push Ukraine into a settlement favouring Moscow.
Zelensky acknowledged these concerns, saying, “After President Trump’s inauguration, efforts to stop the war will obviously be intensified. And we all in Europe need not just a pause… we need real peace. The most important thing is that this is the kind of peace that can be achieved through strength.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated Poland’s unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasising that Kyiv should not feel pressured into making concessions to Russia during peace talks. Poland, a NATO member and a key logistics hub for Western military aid to Ukraine, remains a staunch backer of its neighbour.
“We will above all make sure that none of these talks will lead to unfair decisions,” Tusk assured. He further stressed that Ukraine has “no reason to yield” to Russian demands in any potential negotiations.
As Ukraine battles growing pressures on the military and geopolitical fronts, Zelensky’s calls for increased aid highlight the urgency of bolstering Kyiv’s defences.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to navigate the complexities of supporting Ukraine while seeking a durable resolution to the conflict. The coming weeks are expected to shape the future trajectory of the war and potential peace negotiations.
