PRESS RELEASE : Andriy Yermak discusses strengthening Ukraine’s air defense with representatives of embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain [October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 19 October 2022.

Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak has called on France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, which are among the leaders in providing Ukraine with weapons and military equipment, to step up actions to strengthen our country’s air defense. He said this at a briefing for representatives of the diplomatic corps of these countries in the Office of the President.

Yermak said that every day in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine, air-raid sirens sound for hours. Russia is carrying out insidious mass attacks on critical infrastructure of Ukraine and the civilian population with the help of missile weapons and kamikaze drones.

“Certainly, given what has been happening in recent days, one of our main priorities is to create protection for our cities, civil infrastructure and create an air shield for Ukraine. And I am very glad that today it is no longer a matter for discussion, but only a matter of time. And this should be done as soon as possible,” the head of the President’s Office said.

Yermak also repeatedly emphasized that for actions during the war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation must be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism with implications.

He expressed hope that the countries represented at the meeting will support the adoption of the PACE resolution, in which the Russian Federation will be called a terrorist regime, at a sitting of the European Parliament on November 21-24.

According to him, Ukraine knows exactly how to win the war.

“Today, Ukraine – with your help and support, for which we are very grateful – but still single-handedly destroyed almost 50% of the potential of NATO’s main threat. And that is why I am convinced that Ukraine’s membership in NATO will strengthen the Alliance,” the head of the President’s Office said.

In addition, Yermak reminded that the International Working Group on Security Guarantees for Ukraine, co-chaired by the head of the Office of the President and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, developed recommendations on security guarantees for Ukraine, which could become the basis of a document called the “Kyiv Security Compact.”

This document was sent to the leadership of Ukraine’s partner states, and the Ukrainian side is waiting for their reaction and comments on the proposals.

“We continue consultations with our partners and believe that the steps to create a special air defense can be the first in the implementation of the program of security guarantees for our country,” the head of the President’s Office said.

The commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk, briefed the Western European diplomats on the air attacks that Ukraine suffered in October and the countermeasures by the Ukrainian military using the available forces and means.

Oleschuk and Deputy Head of the Office of the President Roman Mashovets told the participants of the briefing about the needs of the Ukrainian army for even better air and missile defense for the Ukrainian sky.

Diplomatic representatives noted the importance of the provided information and asked clarifying questions in order to provide relevant information to the leadership of their states.