Ukraine needs more weapons and total russian energy embargo – Ukraine’s PM

The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, believes that the two steps that can significantly change Ukraine's situation in the russian-Ukrainian war are an increase in the supply and specification of Western weapons and the introduction of a total energy embargo against russia.

He said this in an interview with Politico.

The head of the Ukrainian government noted that russia was using Soviet-era equipment and missiles as its stock of more modern weapons was running out. But, he added, Soviet weapons were less accurate and hit more civilian targets, requiring certain weapons categories for Ukraine that the West could provide.

"We need more anti-missile, anti-air, anti-land operations, we need more drones… to fight and hit these missiles that the russians are using now. We need more specific, more tailored equipment to protect our civilians. We need cutting-edge air defenses to fight off any potential air attacks," he said.

Shmyhal acknowledged the challenges faced by European countries regarding their stockpiles of weapons and the difficulties of their delivery. However, he noted that Ukraine needed these weapons as soon as possible.

"We are communicating these needs to the European Commission and individual countries," he said. "We do understand that these are very sophisticated technological supplies, and we do understand that perhaps there are not enough volumes or amounts. But we would like to ask [them] to give us what is possible and [to] accelerate deliveries."

The head of the Ukrainian government also called on Western countries to strengthen sanctions against russia by introducing a total embargo on the export of russian oil and gas.

"The tightening of sanctions against russia is of no less importance than the assistance in terms of supply of weaponry and armaments," he said. "Sanctions ought to be tightened."

"We would like to press for a total and complete oil and gas embargo on Russia," he continued. "We do understand that many economies in the EU do depend on russian energy sources. We understand that these are tough decisions, but we also understand that by embargoing oil and gas in russia, we would assist the russian budget in shrinking and giving them less opportunity to finance their terrorist activities and genocidal war against Ukraine."

As Rubryka reported, Prime Minister Shmyhal also called for a total visa ban for russian citizens in his interview with Politico on the eve of his visit to Berlin and Brussels.

Read Rubryka's timeline of war: current news on Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression.