Ukraine still needs weapons to fight Russia, foreign minister tells NATO

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he had only three items on his agenda Thursday for a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

“My agenda is very simple. It has only three items on it: weapons, weapons and weapons,” Mr. Kuleba said, standing next to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Over the past month of fighting since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has demonstrated it has the will to fight and the skill to blunt Russian advances and even turn back the assault, Mr. Kuleba said.

“But without sustainable and sufficient supplies of all weapons requested by Ukraine, these wins will be accompanied with enormous sacrifices,” he said. “The more weapons we get, and the sooner they arrive in Ukraine, the more human lives will be saved.”

Ukraine’s top diplomat called on the nations of the world to put aside any reluctance to provide Ukraine with the firepower it needs to prevent further atrocities. Mr. Kuleba specifically referenced Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv where retreating Russians are suspected of killing hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

“As weird as it may sound, today weapons serve the purpose of peace,” he said.

The entire world is inspired by the courage of Ukraine’s armed forces in standing up to Russia’s aggression, Mr. Stoltenberg said, noting that NATO allies have provided support to them for several years and are continuing to do so.

“I am certain that we will address the need for more air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, lighter, but also heavier weapons, and many different types of support to Ukraine,” Mr. Stoltenberg said.