UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky met today with top US military leaders and more than 50 partner nations in Germany to press for more weapons support as Washington announced it would provide another $250 million (£190m) in security assistance to Kiev.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the meeting of the leaders was taking place during a dynamic moment in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, as it conducted its first offensive operations of the war while facing a significant threat from Russian forces near a key hub in the Donbass.

So far, the surprise invasion of Russia’s Kursk territory has not drawn away the Russian focus from taking the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which provides critical rail and supply links for the Ukrainian army. 

Losing Pokrovsk could put additional Ukrainian cities at risk.

President Zelensky said he would continue to press for long-range strike capability. 

“Strong long-range decisions by partners are needed to bring the just peace we seek closer,” Mr Zelensky said today on Telegram.

This comes a day after Ukraine’s parliament approved the appointment of Andrii Sybiha as the country’s new foreign minister.

Mr Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, replaced Dmytro Kuleba, who became one of Ukraine’s most recognisable faces on the international stage as he petitioned and pleaded with Western countries to support Ukraine’s war effort.

Mr Sybiha has been working as Mr Kuleba’s deputy since April.

Zelensky wants to replace almost a dozen top officials in his biggest government shake-up since Russia’s invasion started on February 24 2022. 

Other changes included the heads of strategic industries, justice, natural resources and farming.

Mr Zelensky said on Wednesday of the reshuffle that Ukraine needs “new energy,” but made no comment about his own official term of office having ended back in May. He remains in power under the provisions of martial law.