Dmytro Kuleba: Russia’s Attacks Will Not Frighten Ukraine’s Partners, Support Will Increase

At the behest of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian diplomats are working intensively to get an additional supply of weapons, air defence and missile defence systems, support from partners in overcoming energy problems created by Russian shelling, and designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated.

“The reaction of my interlocutors is very simple: Putin’s attacks will not frighten our partners. Of course, everyone offers condolences. But I frankly told each interlocutor: I respect and thank you for the words of sympathy, but now they are not the only ones needed. Anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems are needed. Diesel generators and other support are needed to overcome energy problems,” he noted.

The minister noted that he canceled an African tour and had been working since the morning to mobilise Ukraine’s international partners in response to Russian missile terror.

“Today, the President held a meeting on overcoming energy challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine received a list of needs from all relevant authorities — the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, and others. Now we are already actively working with partners on provision of support — not only military but also that which will allow us to overcome the energy problems created by Russian strikes,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the word “negotiations” was not heard from any of the partners today: “Although we are diplomats, in recent days, when someone tries to say the word ‘negotiations’ publicly or privately, we simply shut their mouths.”

According to Kuleba, after what Russia has done in recent days — starting with the illegal attempt to annex territories and ending with the shelling of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kyiv, Lviv and other cities — the issue of pacifying Russia cannot be raised: “There is only one conclusion, and President Zelensky clearly outlined: Russian missiles are Russia’s answer to proposals for negotiations. You don’t have to play this game with us.”

The minister added that he expected a number of countries to adopt decisions on designating the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism after the new stage of Russia’s missile terror. In particular, the need for such a step was discussed during his conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Natalia Tolub