Zelensky calls on NATO members to do more to help Ukraine’s military.

BRUSSELS — President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine made one other pressing plea for assist to President Biden and members of the NATO alliance on Thursday, telling them in a closed-door session that his nation was beneath siege, trapped “within the ‘grey zone’ between the West and Russia,” in accordance with a transcript of his remarks launched by the Ukrainian authorities.

Mr. Zelensky spoke by way of video hyperlink from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as alliance members gathered right here for the primary of three back-to-back summits designed to bolster the world’s unity of opposition to Russia’s monthlong invasion of the nation.

He argued that NATO ought to come to Ukraine’s protection although his nation isn’t a proper member of the defensive alliance arrange after World Struggle II.

“Sure, we aren’t within the alliance. And I don’t make these claims. However Ukrainians by no means thought that the alliance and the allies had been completely different,” he mentioned. He mentioned he understood the place, usually expressed by Mr. Biden, that American troops wouldn’t be despatched to Ukraine to combat instantly with Russians.

“I’m certain you already perceive that Russia doesn’t intend to cease in Ukraine,” he mentioned. “Doesn’t intend and won’t. It desires to go additional.”

A senior U.S. administration official who watched the tackle described Mr. Zelensky’s remarks as “eloquent” and famous that Ukraine’s president didn’t name for a no-fly zone or admission to the NATO alliance.

However Mr. Zelensky did confer with his earlier requests for a no-fly zone and didn’t mince phrases in his remarks, in accordance with the transcript.

“On Feb. 24, I addressed you with a superbly clear, logical request to assist shut our skies,” he mentioned, referring to earlier requests for the allies to impose a no-fly zone over his nation to maintain Russian planes away. “In any format. Shield our folks from Russian bombs and missiles. We didn’t hear a transparent reply.”

“And also you see the results as we speak,” he added a second later. “How many individuals had been killed, what number of peaceable cities had been destroyed?”

Mr. Zelensky has turn into increasingly pointed in his criticism of the restraint from the USA and different nations as Russian forces have savaged many Ukrainian cities, particularly within the south.

On Thursday, he criticized the allies for failing to offer fighter jets that Ukraine might use to defend towards the air assaults. The White Home and the Pentagon have mentioned such help wouldn’t show particularly efficient, and may very well be utilized by Russia as a pretext to attract the USA right into a extra direct battle.

However Mr. Zelensky waved apart such issues.

“Ukraine requested in your planes. In order that we don’t lose so many individuals. And you’ve got hundreds of fighter jets! However we haven’t been given any but,” he mentioned. “To save lots of folks and our cities, Ukraine wants navy help — with out restrictions.”

The senior Biden administration official mentioned that after Mr. Zelensky’s remarks the NATO members engaged in a dialog about the potential of offering anti-ship missile methods to Ukraine.

However that would take time, and Mr. Zelensky closed his remarks with a plea for speedy motion.

“NATO has but to point out what the alliance can do to save lots of folks,” he instructed the leaders. “To indicate that that is really essentially the most highly effective protection union on the earth. And the world is ready. And Ukraine may be very a lot ready. Ready for actual actions. Actual safety ensures. From these whose phrase is reliable. And whose actions can maintain the peace.”