Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed concern that Ukraine’s partners have not been providing enough air defense to protect against Russian missile attacks, despite having over 100 Patriot systems in their own arsenals. In interviews with Reuters, Kuleba emphasized the urgent need for protection as Russia continues to unleash attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. While Ukraine’s partners have provided some air defense systems, Kuleba stressed that it was not enough given the scale of the war.
Kuleba questioned why Ukraine’s allies have not been willing to share additional Patriot systems, as they do not face the same missile threats that Ukraine does on a daily basis. He highlighted the significant number of guided aerial bombs, drones, and missiles that Russia has fired at Ukraine in recent months, including 94 ballistic missiles in March alone. Kuleba emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary resources to defend against such attacks, stating that it would not only benefit Ukraine but also prevent a larger war across Europe.
In an effort to bolster troop numbers in the war against Russia, Ukraine recently lowered the military draft age. Kuleba stressed the need for additional support from allies to help defeat Russia and prevent further escalation of the conflict. He warned that if Ukraine does not win the war against Russia, Europe could be at risk of being at war and facing missile attacks in their own cities. Kuleba urged allies to send their Patriot systems to Ukraine and provide Ukrainian soldiers with the resources they need to combat the ongoing threats from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Moscow has no interest in invading other European countries, but the ongoing conflict in Ukraine raises concerns about the potential for further aggression. Kuleba’s calls for increased support from allies come as NATO foreign ministers meet to discuss how to put military support for Ukraine on a longer-term footing. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recently proposed a plan for a 100 billion euro fund for Ukraine over five years, but Kuleba emphasized the importance of ensuring that any support represents new funds rather than repurposing prior commitments.
Kuleba welcomed the support from NATO but stressed the need for new funds to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities and reform efforts. He noted that NATO had struggled to raise 500 million euros for a Comprehensive Assistance Package, so raising 20 billion euros a year would require a significant effort. Kuleba emphasized the importance of ensuring that any new initiative to support Ukraine represents genuine, additional support to help the country defend against ongoing threats from Russia. He called on allies to show political will and make the necessary decisions to provide Ukraine with the resources needed to protect against missile attacks and ensure the security of the region.
