Dmitry Kuleba cited the reluctance of Kiev’s supporters to supply long-range weaponry and allow strikes deep into Russia
The blame for any military setbacks suffered by Kiev lies squarely with Ukraine’s Western donors, the country’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said. The diplomat called on Western nations to supply his country with more missiles and lift any restrictions on long-range strikes inside Russian territory.
His call echoed one made on Monday by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, who insisted that “There should be no restrictions on the scope of weapons for Ukraine.”
Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder, however, made it clear the next day that “our policy has not changed”, meaning that Kiev is not allowed to use US-supplied weapons to conduct “deep attacks” on Russian soil.
Speaking in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers met on Thursday, Kuleba said that “Russia’s success depends on one thing: the readiness of its partners to make bold decisions.”
“If decisions are made, Ukraine is successful on the ground. If they are not made, then do not complain about Ukraine, complain about yourself,” argued the Ukrainian minister.
According to Kuleba, Kiev only wants permission from the West to attack “legitimate military targets” within Russia, adding that more long-range rockets would also be needed for this.
Kuleba also appealed “All the countries that committed to delivering Patriot systems months ago have finally delivered them.” He stressed that the delays are costing Ukraine dearly.
During his visit to neighboring Poland on Wednesday, Kuleba said that “Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the biggest problem Ukraine has had to face has been the fear of escalation of the conflict that has dominated the decision-making of our allies” with regard to defense aid.
“Do not fear Russia’s reaction, we do not fear it… Help us. Give us what we need,” the minister pleaded, adding that unconditional support from the West would help Ukraine prevail on the battlefield.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in turn, said that all Western talk about restrictions on Kiev and its stated desire to “avoid excessive escalation” is nothing more than a “trick.”
“The West does not want to avoid escalation. The West is asking for trouble, to be frank,” said the Russian diplomat.
Lavrov warned the US, UK and other Kiev supporters against authorizing strikes inside Russia, stressing that such a decision would be tantamount to “playing with fire.”