By KYIV. Nov 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took part in the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union and called for increasing military assistance for Ukraine, making a decision in December to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as well as speeding up work on the 12 package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
“We must always remember who is the main actor in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Whose actions set the direction of European history. Whose success will ensure the victory of Ukraine and Europe. This is a Ukrainian infantryman. All branches of the armed forces are important, but only when an infantryman takes another landing or enters a village, they are considered liberated, and this, in the end, changes the situation on the front line, then the media headlines, and subsequently political decisions,” the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine quoted Kuleba as saying.
The Minister reminded his European colleagues that Ukrainian infantrymen are ordinary Ukrainian men and women, most of whom have not served in the army before, people of different backgrounds who have made the choice to stand up for their country.
“Let’s put aside all the nuances of the political decision-making process and focus on the main issue: what should we give the Ukrainian infantryman to ensure his success? The answer consists of two components: the means of doing the work and morale,” he stressed.
The Foreign Minister elaborated on the priority military needs of Ukraine. He called for increasing military support and reducing the time of its delivery. In particular, it’s about combat aircraft, artillery systems, MLRS, armored vehicles, tanks, ammunition, electronic warfare, radars, drones, long-range missiles and other positions.
He also separately noted the importance of further strengthening of short-, medium- and long-range air and missile defense and the provision of appropriate ammunition.
“We are grateful for all the support provided. We expect to receive the eighth tranche within the framework of the Peace Fund and the creation of a Special Fund within the framework of the European Peace Fund in the amount of EUR 20 billion to help Ukraine. It is also important to accelerate the implementation of the EU’s joint plan to provide EUR 1 million artillery ammunition,” the minister added.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister recalled his call for the creation of a common space for the defense industries of the EU states and candidate countries for accession: “Subsequently, this cooperation should become one of the pillars of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy.” He also called for speeding up the adoption of the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
