Warning of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: “When I say that Europe will be at war and that missiles will fall on Brussels and other European cities, I am not exaggerating”

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, called on Western allies to support Kiev with more weapons, including anti-aircraft systems, and warned again that not only Ukraine but also Europe is threatened by Russia’s war. “Give the Ukrainian soldiers everything they need,” Kuleba said in an interview with Reuters, according to News.ro.

Kiev’s partners do not provide enough air defense means for Ukraine to adequately protect itself against Russian missile attacks, even though they have more than 100 Patriot systems in their arsenals, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Wednesday in an interview for Reuters.

Kuleba said he would raise the issue of Patriot missile defense systems at meetings with NATO counterparts in Brussels.

The statements came as Russia stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, underscoring the country’s urgent need for protection.

“The partners have made their various (air defense) systems available to us, we appreciate that, but it is simply insufficient, given the scale of the war,” Kuleba said.

He said Ukraine’s partners have more than 100 Patriot systems at their disposal, but so far have been unwilling to give Kiev even five or seven — the number Kiev says is the minimum needed to provide significant additional protection.

“Is it such a big deal? Is it not feasible to give Ukraine the minimum requested?” Kuleba asked.

The best way to protect European states

Russia launched more than 3,000 aerial guided bombs, 600 drones and 400 missiles on Ukraine in March alone, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday. Kuleba said Russia’s attacks in March involved 94 ballistic missiles, which are much faster than the more commonly used cruise missiles and harder to shoot down.

“Come on boys. This happens to us every day,” said Kuleba, summarizing his message to Ukraine’s allies. “And the solution is there. It is only a matter of political will. So someone has to make the decision”, pointed out the head of diplomacy from Kiev.

Kuleba said it is not clear to him why the allies have not yet offered additional Patriot systems, especially since Kiev’s partners do not face the threat that Ukraine faces every day. He argues that such support would help defeat Russia and prevent a larger war across Europe.

“When I say that Europe will be at war and that rockets will fall on Brussels and other European cities, I am not exaggerating. All this will happen if Ukraine does not win the war against Russia”, he declared.

“So the best way to save your Patriot systems from intercepting missiles (over your countries) and your soldiers from dying is to send them to Ukraine and give the Ukrainian soldiers everything they need,” Kuleba argued.

NATO plans

Kuleba made these statements at a time when NATO foreign ministers met to discuss long-term planning of military support for Ukraine.

Asked about a proposal by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg – which includes a plan for a 100 billion euro fund for Ukraine over five years – Kuleba said he welcomed the support, but it should provide new funds and not to reuse previous commitments.

He noted that NATO had difficulty raising 500 million euros for a comprehensive assistance package to reform and equip the Ukrainian armed forces, so increasing aid to 20 billion a year would be a “gargantuan” effort.

Under plans discussed in Brussels on Wednesday, NATO would take over some coordination work from the US-led coalition known as the Ramstein Group, a move intended in part to protect against any reduction in US support if Donald Trump returns to The White House, said diplomats quoted by Reuters.

But NATO officials say it is not clear whether the 100 billion euros will be accepted or how the financing will be done.

Arriving at the talks, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the proposal as “correct and important”, saying that aid to Ukraine should be paid through “reliable and long-term structures”.

Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins also welcomed the 100 billion euro fund proposal, suggesting contributions could be a percentage of each member’s GDP.

But in a sign that a decision will not be easy, Hungary has shown signs of skepticism about at least some elements of Stoltenberg’s proposal.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto firmly stated that “Hungary will not support any NATO proposal that could bring the alliance closer to war or change it from a defensive to an offensive coalition,” government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said , on X.

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