Monday’s Coverage: Zelensky — “Steps Forward With NATO” and More Weapons Before Talks with Russia
Map: Institute for the Study of War
UPDATE 1716 GMT:
In Brussels for the NATO meeting of foreign ministers, Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has asked partners for at least 20 air defense systems to avert Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure.
Displaying a copy of the Budapest Memorandum, a document signed by Ukraine, Russia, and Western powers in 1994, Sybiha said:
This document failed to secure Ukrainian security and Trans-Atlantic security. So we must avoid repeating such mistakes.
That’s why, of course, we will discuss with my partners the concept of “peace through strength”, and we have a clear understanding of which steps we need from our friends to do our homework.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected any “alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes for Ukraine’s full membership in NATO”, presenting the Budapest Memorandum as an example of failed assurances.
UPDATE 0832 GMT:
At least one civilian has been killed and at least eight injured by Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day.
The fatality was in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where three people were wounded. The other fatalities were in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.
Air defenses downed 22 of 28 attack drone launched overnight. One was lost to electronic counter-measures, and two flew toward Belarus and Russian-occupied territory.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: NATO Foreign Ministers meet on Tuesday and Wednesday with a possible invitation to Ukraine atop the agenda.
However, diplomats say that the offer to Kyiv is unlikely to be made, despite Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated calls for accession to the 32-member bloc as part of an end to Russia’s 33-month invasion.
“It will take weeks and months to get consensus,” said a “senior NATO diplomat”. “I don’t see that happening tomorrow, I would be very surprised.”
A senior U.S. official said the session will focus on increasing “money, munitions, and mobilization” in Ukraine to put it into the strongest possible position next year “going into possible negotiations”.
In an interview with the Financial Times, NATO head Mark Rutte also set out that approach. He explained that all efforts should be on sending more weapons to Ukraine rather than “pondering” other initiatives.
I cannot, of course, force members to discuss anything or stop talking about anything. Talk about whatever you want to discuss.
But the prime target we have is to make sure that Zelensky can start those talks from a position of strength.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer followed the script on Monday with the declaration, “We must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes … to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence – and right to choose their own future.”
As Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv on Monday, Germany’s Defense Ministry announced imminent delivery of IRIS-T air defense systems, Leopard 1 tanks, and armed drones. US Secretary of Defense Antony Blinken said Washington will send Kyiv another $725 million of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons.
Zelensky: NATO Invitation “Necessary for Survival”
Meeting European Union leaders on Sunday, President Zelensky said, “An invitation for Ukraine to join NATO is a necessary thing for our survival,” while adding that a “good number” of long-distance weapons are needed for Ukraine’s defense.
“Only when we have all these items and we are strong, after that, we have to make the very important…agenda of meeting with one or another of the killers,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will join NATO counterparts at dinner on Tuesday night. In a letter to them, he said an invitation would remove one of Russia’s main arguments — blocking Kyiv’s accession — for its invasion.
