Ukraine Seeks More Arms, Closer Ties to West After Taking Ground From Russia

KHARKIV, Ukraine — Attempting to maximize gains from a lightning-fast offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces made a diplomatic push for more weapons and closer security ties with western allies.

A top adviser to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, said Tuesday they are preparing a proposal to strengthen ties between Kyiv and its western allies, with the aim of ensuring the flow of arms, intelligence, financial aid and training into the country . The document, they said, will not include an obligation similar to Article 5 of the NATO alliance, which requires allies to intervene militarily if a member is attacked. Instead, officials said the document was based on guarantees between the US and Israel that ensure the flow of support is steady and unwavering.