Ukraine Urges NATO to Supply 20 More Air Defense Systems to Protect Critical Infrastructure

Speaking ahead of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on December 3, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed the urgent need for additional air defense systems to protect civilians and infrastructure as Russia continues to target critical energy facilities.

"We already informed our partners about our urgent needs, and we are thankful for them and for such a prompt reaction,” Sybiha said. “And we are speaking about urgent supply of at least 20 additional system types: HAWK, NASAMS or IRIS-T and it will help us to avoid blackouts," he concluded.

Sybiha also brought the Budapest Memorandum, a document signed in 1994 that guaranteed Ukraine’s security in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons, ahead of the 30th anniversary of it’s signing.

“[The Budapest Memorandum] is an evidence, a true reminder that any long term decisions of long term security on the cost of Ukrainian security aren’t appropriate and unacceptable. This document, this paper failed to secure Ukrainian security and Trans-Atlantic security,” Sybiha said.

“So we must avoid to repeat such mistakes. That’s why, of course, we will discuss with my partners the concept of Peace Through Strength, and we have clear understanding which steps we need from our friends to do our home job.”

NATO Foreign Ministers will convene in Brussels on December 3-4, 2024, to discuss support for Ukraine and regional security. The NATO-Ukraine Council will hold its meeting on December 3 as part of the agenda.