Ukraine in talks with allies for fighter jets and missiles

Ukraine and its Western allies are engaged in "fast-track" talks over the supply of long-range missiles and military jets, a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

- DANIEL REAST

Mykhailo Podolyak said Ukraine's allies "understand how the war is developing" and the need to supply planes capable of providing cover for the tanks which have been pledged this week.

He continued: "We must speak reasonably and tell them [allies], for example, 'This and this will reduce fatalities, this will reduce the burden on infrastructure. This will reduce security threats to the European continent, this will keep the war localised"."

Mr Podolyak added that Ukraine needs supplies of long-range missiles "to drastically curtail the key tool of the Russian army", aimed at destroying the storage facilities where it keeps and maintains artillery used on the front line.

However, EU and Nato member Hungary has criticised the further supply of armaments, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban saying countries providing weapons to assist Ukraine in its war with Russia have "drifted" into becoming active participants in the conflict.

Mr Orban has previously refused to send weapons to neighbouring Ukraine and sought to block EU funds earmarked for military aid.