Ukrainian FM calls on partners to introduce no-fly zone, provide air defense and missile defense systems

Ukraine, at the cost of numerous human losses, is holding back Russian troops on the threshold of the EU and NATO, therefore it calls on partners to introduce a no-fly zone over the country as soon as possible and strengthen its defense capabilities by providing air and missile defense systems, Report informs, quoting the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

“At this decisive moment in the history of Europe, when Ukraine, at the cost of numerous human losses, is holding back Russia on the threshold of the EU and NATO borders, we once again call on our partners to introduce a no-fly zone over Ukraine as soon as possible and beef up our defense capabilities by providing Ukraine with air and missile defense systems. Only by joint efforts will we be able to curb the Russian Federation, restore international order, and neutralize threats to security and stability in Europe," the statement said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed that "the Russian Federation must stop hostilities, withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine, including from the Crimean Peninsula, release all illegally detained residents of Crimea and compensate for all the damage caused by Russia."

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry drew attention to the fact that the territory of the peninsula and the waters of the Black and Azov Seas have become springboards for an offensive ground operation of the Russian armed forces in southern Ukraine and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian facilities.

“It is also noted that in 2014 Russia embarked on the path of international isolation - it was expelled from the G8, deprived of its voting right in PACE, became the subject of lawsuits in international courts, and a defendant on international sanctions.

"At present, the isolation of Russia has become virtually complete, and the Russian Federation itself is the absolute leader of the restrictive measures imposed on it by the international community. The Ukrainian diplomatic service will continue to work with partners to further strengthen them," the Foreign Ministry added.