Zelenskyy Criticizes Weapons Delays, Suggests Western Partners 'Playing Games'

Some Western partners were playing games with the delivery of weaponry, while also questioning if the current level of aid from the US and other nations would be sufficient in beating back against Russian military forces, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday.

Zelenskyy told Baier that he believed that the US and Ukraine shared similar values, and that he had confidence in the West. If vital military equipment and other forms of aid don't arrive in a timely manner, the Ukrainian people's feelings could get worse.

I believe that the United States, the people of the United States want that, but if the process of transferring those weapons is getting slower, then people begin to ask the question. I don't want to believe that some of our partners are playing games.

Zelenskyy is trying to get more aid for Ukraine as a group of countries send weapons to the country in their fight against Russia.

The European Union last month greenlit a $551 million package to aid in aiding Ukrainian soldiers, and US President Joe Biden signed a bill authorizing $13.6 billion in funding for the country.

On Friday, the US Department of Defense announced that it would send $300 million in additional aid to Ukraine, which would include laser-guided rocket systems, armored off-road vehicles, and small-to-large caliber ammunition.

Zelenskyy continued his plea for additional defense mechanisms during the interview.

He said that they don't want a million of quality bullet proof vests or some special brand helmets.

Give us missiles. Give us planes. You can't give us F-18 or F-19. The old Soviet planes should be given to us. That is all. Give them to me. Give me something to defend my country.

Zelenskyy floated adopting neutral status with Russia in order to stop the conflict, as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators sat down for peace talks. It would require security guarantees from Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians would not accept a defeat of Russian forces in the conflict.

He said that a victory of truth means a victory for the people of Ukraine. That is a big question. It is a difficult question. The Ukrainian people will not accept any outcome.