Andrii Syvukha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, appealed to NATO member countries on the 3rd (local time) for at least 19 more air defense systems.
Minister Syvukha said on the first day of the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, that additional air defense support is needed to endure this winter. He added, "We have already prepared a detailed list of the required air defense systems and delivered it to NATO member countries," and "I hope a decision for urgent support will be made today or within a few days."
He emphasized, "Russia has now started attacking nuclear power facilities, which is another new reality of Russia's invasion," and said, "This is why a strong historic decision is needed, not just urging Putin (the Russian President) or visiting Russia."
Meanwhile, before the NATO-Ukraine Council working dinner, a high-level consultative body held that afternoon, Minister Syvukha stood in front of cameras with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg but did not make any public remarks regarding the 'NATO membership invitation.' Since his appointment in September, he had sent letters to NATO member countries ahead of this meeting, requesting that the first step of Ukraine's NATO membership process, the 'membership invitation,' be decided at this NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Secretary General Stoltenberg told reporters that morning regarding Ukraine's request for a membership invitation, "Right now, we need to discuss more about providing Ukraine with more military aid rather than what the peace process might look like," effectively rejecting Ukraine's request. Around the U.S. presidential election, it has been reported that the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is considering a ceasefire plan that freezes the current front line between Russia and Ukraine, establishes a demilitarized zone, and prohibits Ukraine's NATO membership.
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