Desk News: After reclaiming some Russian-held territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now seeking approval and support from Western nations to carry out deeper strikes within Russia. He made this request during discussions with the Dutch Prime Minister.

Ukraine had hoped that striking within Russian territory would pressure Russian forces in the occupied Ukrainian regions. However, these efforts have not yielded the expected results, with Russia making some advances in capturing more Ukrainian territory.

President Zelensky has partly attributed the lack of success to the restrictions placed on the use of Western-supplied weapons.

On Monday, Zelensky expressed hope that these restrictions would be further eased, allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia. He also called on the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to provide more long-range weapons.

After meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, Zelensky stated that merely receiving approval is not enough; Ukraine also needs the delivery of long-range weapons from its allies. Rutte’s visit is noteworthy as it is rare for a Western leader to visit so close to the front lines, especially in an area where a nuclear power plant is under Russian control.

Prime Minister Rutte assured Ukraine of increased military support. Zelensky mentioned that they discussed strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, which he believes is essential for achieving a just peace. He also emphasized the need to bolster air defenses and acquire new Patriot systems to counter Russian attacks, along with urging for stronger sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a visit to Mongolia, where plans are underway to construct a new gas pipeline between Russia and China. With Western sanctions significantly reducing Russia’s gas sales to Europe, Russia is seeking new markets.

In response, Ukraine has called on Mongolia to arrest Putin in accordance with an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. However, Mongolia has taken no such action, which could lead to potential punitive measures against the country.

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