The EU Foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has urged Ukraine’s international supporters to lift restrictions on the use of weapons they provide to the conflict-ravaged country to allow its armed forces to strike targets inside Russia.
This came as he spoke to reporters alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba as the bloc’s foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The U.S. restricts the use of long-range ballistic missiles it provides to Ukraine and some EU members also limit the use of their weapons.
Ukraine is desperate to target airfields and other military installations inside Russia that are used to stage attacks on its armed forces and civilians.
Speaking, Borrell said that the restrictions have to be lifted in accordance with international law.
“The weaponry that we are providing to Ukraine has to have full use, and the restrictions have to be lifted in order for the Ukrainians to be able to target the places where Russia is bombing them. Otherwise, the weaponry is useless.”
Josep Borrell
Borrell condemned Russia’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“Russia wants to bomb a European country into full capitulation,” he said.
Ukraine’s Allies To Be Blamed If Russia Wins
On his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba asserted that Ukraine’s backers would only have themselves to blame if Russia wins.
“The success of Russia depends on one thing: on the preparedness of partners to make bold decisions. If decisions are taken, Ukraine is successful on the ground. If they are not taken, then do not complain on Ukraine, complain on yourself.”
Dmytro Kuleba
Kuleba insisted that Ukraine only wants to attack “legitimate military targets” inside Russia.
“If we are supplied a sufficient amount of missiles, if we are allowed to strike, we will significantly decrease the capacity of Russia to inflict damage on our critical infrastructure and we will improve the situation of our forces on the ground.”
Dmytro Kuleba
He also urged the West to make good on promises to quickly send military support to Ukraine.
“Good progress has been made, and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet,” Kuleba told journalists ahead of the EU ministerial meeting in Brussels.
“Some complain (about) bureaucracy… some argue that there are delicate internal moments in their politics,” he added.
Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany and one from the U.S. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles.
The U.S., Romania, and the Netherlands pledged in June to deliver one additional system each, but no announcement on their arrival has been made so far.
“We pay for all these delays, with the damage and loss of lives,” Kuleba said as he called in particular for the rapid delivery of Patriot air defense systems.
He urged “all countries who pledged to deliver Patriot systems months ago to finally deliver them.”
“They are there, they are ready for delivery. What is lacking is just the final go, the green light to do it,” he iterated.
Ukraine said last month that it needs 25 Patriot air defense systems to fully defend its airspace and protect the country from Russian missile attacks.
The highly advanced Patriot systems have played a crucial role in protecting the Ukrainian sky. They are capable of downing even the most advanced ballistic missiles, such as Kinzhals.
The Patriots are not the only Western systems comprising Ukraine’s sky shield. Kyiv has also received IRIS-T, NASAMS, Hawk, and SAMP/T systems.
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