Ukraine on Tuesday called on the West to consider shooting down Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory to better protect its cities from Russian aerial barrages.
Speaking in Kyiv alongside his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Ukraine’s Western backers not to see such a step as “escalatory.”
“There is no legal, security, or moral argument that stands in the way of our partners shooting down Russian missiles over the territory of Ukraine from their territory,” he said.
Kuleba said he would like Ukraine’s partners “to consider the possibility” of intercepting missiles from their territory.
“If you don’t want to do it, then just provide us with all the means necessary for this. We will deploy them on the territory of Ukraine and intercept these missiles ourselves,” he added.
Kuleba highlighted the provision of “air defense systems” and “combat aircraft with the appropriate technical capabilities.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock acknowledged the importance of providing air defense systems and said delays in providing military support to Ukraine harmed the West’s security.
“It is clear that every hesitation and every delay in supporting Ukraine costs the lives of innocent people. And every hesitation in supporting Ukraine also jeopardizes our own security,” she said.
