Ukraine makes 'urgent' request to NATO

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Sybiha made statements ahead of the session held in the NATO-Ukraine Council format on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Rutte stated that the meeting, which he noted would also be attended by the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, would address topics such as the need to increase military support for Ukraine, the protection of the country's energy infrastructure, and air defense assistance.

Reiterating NATO's support for Ukraine, Rutte said, "I want to assure you that the allies are with you."

Pointing out that Ukraine, where the war continues, is also experiencing cold winter days, Rutte emphasized the need to support the protection of the energy grid and infrastructure. "We cannot allow Russia to weaponize winter in Ukraine," Rutte said.

Touching on Ukraine's need for increased military aid, particularly air defense systems, Rutte said, "Much more needs to be done to ensure that when you decide to have some kind of conversation with the Russians one day, you can do it from a position of strength. We will talk about this tonight."

"WE NEED STRONG DECISIONS"

Sybiha expressed that his country needs "certainty" for its future, stating, "Now is the time for geopolitical certainty, and we need this certainty. We need strong decisions that will strengthen us, that will strengthen our capabilities."

Commenting that Russia is "weaponizing" the country's energy resources, Sybiha continued as follows:

"The Ukrainian people, Ukrainian civilians, are likely being subjected to the most intense missile attacks. They are trying to cut us off from nuclear energy. They have started attacking nuclear energy facilities. This is a new reality of Russian aggression. Therefore, instead of calling (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or visiting Moscow, we need strong, powerful, historic decisions."

Sybiha stated that his country "urgently needs 19 additional air defense systems" to protect its strategic energy facilities and infrastructure, adding, "We are confident that once we secure these 19 air defense systems, we will get through the winter. We have already sent a concrete list of our needs, and we hope that one of the concrete results of the meetings we will have today and in the coming days will be the decision of our closest partners to urgently supply these air defense systems."

The Foreign Ministers Meeting, which began today at NATO headquarters in Brussels, will continue tomorrow.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is representing Turkey at the meeting.