ODESA, Ukraine (AP) — Two heads of state and 7 international ministers from a gaggle of Ukraine’s European backers visited the war-torn nation Friday to specific help for Kyiv in its protection in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, internet hosting his counterparts from 4 Nordic and three Baltic international locations within the southern port metropolis of Odesa, repeated a plea for the supply of U.S.-made fighter jets to his nation.
“(The jets) are needed to cover our brigades that are going to (counter-attack),” Kuleba stated.
Although no guarantees had been made, he added, ”I’ve a sense that our colleagues are well-disposed on this matter.”
Ukraine has lengthy pushed for Western fighter jets for its air drive, with out success. Its Western companions have, nonetheless, supplied various former Soviet MiG-29 fighters.
Kuleba met with the international ministers of Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Because of presidency formation talks in Finland, the Nordic nation was represented by a senior Foreign Ministry official.
“Through this visit, we manifest strong Nordic and Baltic support for Ukraine and its people,” stated Tobias Billström of Sweden whose nation at present holds the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union.
”I truthfully don’t bear in mind if Odesa ever hosted this many ministers of international affairs without delay. If that is the primary such time, we’re glad, along with our colleagues, to set a brand new commonplace,” Kuleba stated.
Also Friday, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the president of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, and the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.
Zelenskyy stated they mentioned navy help to assist Ukraine handle Russia’s invasion and “prepare for (the) counteroffensive,” in addition to the forthcoming NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania.
“We are expecting ambitious decisions that will enforce Europe’s security,” he stated. “The time has come to eliminate any uncertainty.”
There has lengthy been discuss of a Ukrainian spring counter-offensive in opposition to invading Russian forces, however it has nonetheless to materialize.
Czech President Pavel stated what he noticed in Ukraine reminded him of the devastation from wars in Afghanistan and the previous Yugoslavia.
“Fortunately, it hasn’t broken the Ukrainians,” stated Pavel, a retired military normal and former senior NATO official. “Russia has shown such an inclination to barbarism in recent years that I’m not surprised.”
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