“Give us the damn Patriots," he asserted. The Patriot surface-to-air missiles, originating from the United States, stand as the optimal defense mechanism against the ballistic missiles increasingly targeting Ukraine.
Kuleba emphasized that possessing an ample supply of air defense systems, particularly Patriots, would not only safeguard lives but also shield the economy from devastation.
“If we had enough air defense systems, namely Patriots, we would be able to protect not only the lives of our people but also our economy from destruction,” he said.
The necessity for such defenses is starkly evident to Kyiv's residents. Mere moments before Kuleba's meeting with POLITICO at the foreign ministry on Monday, the Ukrainian capital faced an assault from Russian ballistic missiles in broad daylight.
Despite being in the city's botanical gardens filming a video, Kuleba witnessed the air raid sirens and ensuing blasts. While the Patriot air defenses intercepted the missiles, nine individuals, including a teenage girl near Kuleba's filming location, sustained injuries from falling debris.
Kuleba's call for Patriots comes amidst a critical juncture for Ukraine in repelling Vladimir Putin's invading forces. Western support, initially robust at the onset of the invasion, has waned in recent months due to partisan divides in the U.S.
Delays in aid
Congress is delaying a significant aid package. European allies have struggled to fill the void in funding and armaments essential for Ukraine's defense. As Russia advances on the battlefield and capitalizes on opportunities to escalate the assault, Ukraine's struggle for survival hangs precariously.
The fatigue of Ukrainian soldiers in the eastern front is palpable. Kuleba highlighted the challenges posed by Russia's deployment of upgraded aerial guided bombs, describing them as inescapable weapons that decimate targets upon impact. To counter these threats, Kuleba stressed the imperative need for air-defense systems on the frontlines.
“When Ukrainian troops are losing positions, let's look at the reason why,” Kuleba said. “It is because Russia has begun to massively use upgraded aerial guided bombs.”
Regarding the stalled USD 60 billion aid package from Joe Biden and Germany's deliberations on supplying Taurus missiles, Kuleba conveyed exasperation, emphasizing the urgency of decisive action.
He commended French President Emmanuel Macron's evolving stance on potential European military intervention, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the necessity for Europe to adapt to the realities of conflict.
“We were pleased to see President Macron evolve in that direction,” he said.
In closing, Kuleba underscored the seriousness of the situation, asserting that Ukraine's victory is imperative, as failure would embolden Putin to continue unchecked aggression.
