KYIV: Ukraine on Tuesday urged its Western allies to consider shooting down Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory to better protect its cities from Russian aerial barrages.
Speaking in Kyiv alongside his German counterpart, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western backers not to see such a step as “escalatory.”
Kuleba emphasized the urgency of this request, urging allies not to perceive such actions as escalatory but rather as vital safeguards for Ukrainian cities under siege.
“There is no legal, security or moral argument that stands in the way of our partners shooting down Russian missiles over the territory of Ukraine from their territory,” he said.
Kuleba further implored Ukraine’s Western backers to explore the possibility of intercepting missiles from their own territory or providing the necessary resources for Ukraine to conduct such operations independently. He emphasized the critical need for air defense systems and combat aircraft equipped with advanced technical capabilities to effectively thwart incoming missile strikes.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock acknowledged the urgency of providing military support to Ukraine. He condemned delays that jeopardize both Ukrainian lives and international security.
“It is clear that every hesitation and every delay in supporting Ukraine costs the lives of innocent people. And every hesitation in supporting Ukraine also jeopardizes our own security,” Baerbock affirmed. He emphasized the interconnectedness of Ukraine’s defense and the broader security landscape in Europe.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in pushing for greater international involvement in the conflict, advocating for NATO countries to intercept Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory and urging the use of Western weapons to counter Russian military buildup along the border. Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need for decisive action, emphasizing that the status quo of Ukrainian casualties cannot be accepted as a norm.
I was glad to host @ABaerbock in Kyiv on her seventh wartime trip to Ukraine.
I thank Germany for taking the lead in strengthening Ukraine's air defense and encouraging other partners to follow suit. Today, we discussed how to speed up third-country decisions on providing… pic.twitter.com/7ipPVaFQgd
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) May 21, 2024
