Ukrainian foreign minister urges NATO to close airspace for Russia

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on partners to close the airspace over Ukraine, Report informs, referring to Ukrinform that Kuleba said this on the joint program of Ukrainian TV channels "We are strong together".

"We are saying very clearly and calmly to our NATO partners that you can think as much as you like how to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia, but if you do not help us stop it now, then a direct confrontation will be inevitable, because you will be next," Kuleba said.

In this context, he noted that those who believe that Russia will not dare to attack NATO countries should remember that they also did not believe in the Kremlin's plans to start a direct war with Ukraine.

“And everyone was wrong. Therefore, we need to act right now,” the head of Ukrainian diplomacy stressed.

He emphasized that the issue of closing the sky over Ukraine is extremely relevant, and there are different scenarios. For example, it is possible to close not all airspace, but part of it, it is possible not to close the sky, but to ensure the supply of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft defense systems to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“All scenarios are now in the works. But everyone should understand, and we clearly say this to our partners. We are grateful to you for everything you have done… But now there is a specific threat that our citizens will continue to be killed from the air… Therefore, if you don’t take radical steps to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine, then the blood of our dead citizens will be on your hands. Your restraint and your unwillingness to take the next steps - all this gives Russia the opportunity to continue killing without punishment," the Foreign Minister stressed.