Germany to begin urgent search for Patriot systems to aid Ukraine – FM Kuleba
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On April 4 in Brussels, during the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Alliance, Germany initiated the search for available Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine's armed forces.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba stated this during a meeting with journalists, European Pravda writes.
As the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted, Germany, as the head of the air defense coalition operating within the Ramstein format, "immediately initiates an analysis of all systems, Patriot batteries, and other air defense systems available not only in allies but in the world in general."
"And what can be done, what combinations can be built for these batteries to be delivered to Ukraine," the minister added.
Kuleba also confirmed that during the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, he focused exclusively on one topic – the supply of Patriot systems. However, the allies planned to discuss long-term commitments.
"One very experienced minister said it was the harshest speech he had ever heard from a foreign minister.
I apologized for spoiling the festive mood – NATO's birthday. Still, I felt that it was necessary to immerse my colleagues in the harsh reality of the residents of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv," the Ukrainian diplomat said.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that those ministers who were in Ukraine and heard the operation of air defense systems "reacted differently" to the relevant requests of Kyiv.
It should be noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, supported Ukraine's proposal to transfer air defense systems to it, which Western states have in their arsenals but do not use.
For reference:
On April 3-4, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, will hold talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell.
Kuleba will also meet with the foreign ministers of Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary and New Zealand.
A scheduled meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council will be held on Thursday, April 4.
"Key attention will be paid to increasing military aid to Ukraine, strengthening our country's air defense, and increasing weapons production capacity.
President Zelensky's Peace Formula, the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs, and other pressing issues will also be key topics discussed in the meetings," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Kuleba will be visiting during the NATO Council of Foreign Ministers dedicated to the Alliance's 75th anniversary. This will be Sweden's inaugural attendance as a full member.
Kuleba discussed Patriot deliveries to Ukraine with the heads of foreign affairs of Poland and Spain. After all, Ukraine is the only country in the world that defends itself against ballistic missiles.
On Thursday, April 4, a scheduled meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council took place. It was dedicated to strengthening cooperation. NATO foreign ministers also discussed the possibility of improving the structure of aid to Ukraine. The main message during the meeting was providing air defense systems to Kyiv.
Read more:
- It is worth adding that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is proposing to establish a fund of $100 billion in contributions from allies for Ukraine over the course of five years within the framework of the package that the leaders of the Alliance are to sign in July in Washington.
- As Rubryka wrote, on April 2, in the Netherlands, representatives of 44 countries supported the idea of creating a special tribunal for Russia for crimes against Ukraine. They emphasized the importance of Russia's full responsibility for its aggressive actions.
- British Foreign Minister David Cameron plans to call on NATO members to jointly purchase shells and missiles for Ukraine and increase defense spending, production, and services in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and threats to international stability.
- United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emphasized the importance of preparing a road map for Ukraine's accession to NATO.
