Western nations need more courage to help Ukraine: President Zelensky

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the supply of fighter jets and tanks, saying "there is a lack of courage in the West."

According to the Associated Press, President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video message on Sunday, expressed anger at Western nations for blaming each other for the supply of warplanes and weapons to Ukraine.

He said Russian missile strikes had killed scores of people and displaced millions, while thousands were still stranded in war-torn areas.

He said in a video message that he was in constant contact with the defenders of the southeastern city of Mariupol, and that their determination, bravery and resilience were astounding.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, comparing Western countries to Mariopol's bodyguards, said: "Those who have been thinking for 31 days how to hand over dozens of planes and tanks to us, if they had the courage to do even one percent (of the guards). They would have done it. '

The city of Mariupol has suffered the most destruction during the Ukraine war, killing scores of people and displacing thousands.

Russia wants to liberate the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass, which has been partially occupied by Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

Since the annexation of Ukraine's autonomous region of Crimea to Russia in 2014, separatist rebels in neighboring Luhansk and Donetsk have been wreaking havoc.

Ukraine's president scoffed at Western nations, saying they feared a decision would be made.

"Who is the head of the Euro-Atlantic community?" He asked, referring to NATO. Is Moscow still there? '

President Volodymyr said allies should take further steps to help Ukraine.

It should be noted that in the talks with Ukraine, Russia has insisted on recognizing the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk.

Ukraine says it needs warplanes in addition to missiles and other defense weapons to defeat Russia.

The proposal to supply Polish planes to Ukraine via the United States was rejected. NATO has expressed concern that doing so could plunge Western nations into a war with Russia.