Korczowa, Poland:
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the Poland-Ukraine border on Saturday in a show of solidarity on Day 10 of Russia’s invasion of its pro-Western neighbor.
The two spoke under high security for 45 minutes at a border crossing full of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, discussing more weapons for the Kiev army and how to maintain global pressure on Moscow.
“I hope that the people of Ukraine can see this as a clear manifestation that we have friends who literally stand by us,” Kuleba said after they met at the Korczowa-Krakovets border crossing under strict surveillance.
Ukraine “is going to win,” Blinken said.
Kuleba said he had urged his US counterpart to increase the supply of weapons to his country, especially jet fighters and heavy air defense systems to fight the Russian air force.
“We are satisfied with the stockpiles of anti-tank weapons and ammunition already arranged,” Kuleba told a small group of journalists at the border.
“It’s no secret that the highest demand we have is in fighter jets, attack aircraft and air defense systems,” he said.
“We need … major air defense systems to ensure the safety of our air. If we lose the air, there will be a lot more blood on the ground,” Kuleba said.
He also criticized NATO’s rejection of introducing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, an idea aimed at denying the free movement of Russian aircraft to carry out attacks and transport troops.
NATO said Friday the idea would put the alliance in direct conflict with Russia and risk expanding the war.
“I think it’s a sign of weakness,” Kuleba said as he and Blinken stood together at the border.
“It is the people of Ukraine who will pay the price for NATO’s unwillingness to act,” he added.
Ukraine’s top diplomat expressed gratitude for global coordination in imposing strong sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine.
But he expressed concern that countries are getting tired of implementing those sanctions, especially since they also have an economic impact on the countries that impose them.
“Ukraine will win this war anyway, because this is the people’s war for their country… The question is the price,” Kuleba said.
“If our partners continue to make bold systemic decisions to increase economic and political pressure…if they continue to supply us with the necessary weapons, the price will be lower,” he said.
However, he said: “For example, if one day someone in the world starts to feel sanctions fatigue, then more people in Ukraine will die and suffer.”
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)