After wave of attacks: calls for longer-range weapons for Kiev grow louder
Sikorski called for the tightening of sanctions and the provision of "longer-range missiles" that would "enable the Ukrainian government to take out launchers and command centers".
Despite a trade conflict, Poland is one of Ukraine 's biggest supporters within Europe. During his inaugural visit to Kiev, Sikorski appealed to the European Union and the USA to "mobilize" their economies and production capabilities in order to provide Ukraine with weapons.
After Christmas, Russia launched one of the largest waves of attacks since the start of the war against the Ukrainian capital Kiev and other cities. More than 40 people were killed in the process.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the Russian armed forces have fired almost 300 missiles and more than 200 drones at Ukraine since December 29 alone. Selensky spoke of "completely premeditated terror" by Russia.
Ukraine responded over the weekend with missile attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod, in which 25 people were killed. On Wednesday, Russia reported renewed attacks on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow as well as border regions in Russia. The Russian air defense announced that it had intercepted six missiles over Belgorod.
In the Kursk region north of Belgorod, an air strike damaged infrastructure and led to power cuts, according to Governor Roman Starovoyt. The governor of the city of Sevastopol in Crimea said that a missile had been fired near the city.
For its part, the leadership in Kiev called on its Western allies to speed up the delivery of air defense weapons, combat drones and long-range weapons. Zelenskyi's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak stated that he had discussed the latest wave of attacks with US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. Both agreed on "the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defenses", explained Jermak.
In Germany, the issue of supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev has long been under discussion. CDU foreign policy expert Röttgen called for a change in policy by the German government from "half-heartedness to support with what is available" in 2024. Otherwise, the "bleeding", "destruction" and "attrition" of Ukraine would continue, said Röttgen.
Europe and the USA would have to support Kiev "differently, more, more effectively". Taurus is "highly effective", argued the CDU politician. Taurus cruise missiles have a range of more than 500 kilometers and would make it easier for the Ukrainian army to attack weapons depots and supply lines on Russian territory.
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- Radoslaw Sikorski, a Polish politician, advocated for strengthening sanctions and providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles to counter Russian launchers and command centers.
- Despite a trade conflict, Poland remains a significant supporter of Ukraine within the EU, urging the EU and USA to mobilize their economies and produce weapons for Ukraine.
- Following the holiday season, Russia launched a large-scale wave of attacks on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in numerous casualties.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi accused Russia of orchestrating completely premeditated terror, having fired over 500 missiles and drones at Ukraine in recent weeks.
- In response to these attacks, Ukraine retaliated with missile strikes on the Russian border region of Belgorod, causing several casualties.
- Russian forces reported renewed attacks on the Crimean peninsula and border regions, with their air defense intercepting several incoming missiles over Belgorod.
- Andrij Jermak, Zelenskyi's Chief of Staff, called on Western allies to accelerate the delivery of air defense weapons, combat drones, and long-range weapons to Ukraine.
- Norbert Röttgen, a CDU foreign policy expert, proposed a change in Germany's policy regarding the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, arguing that prolonged inaction would only lead to more devastation.
- Taurus cruise missiles, with a range exceeding 500 kilometers, would enable Ukraine to strike at weapon depots and supply lines on Russian territory, according to Röttgen.
- The turn of the year was overshadowed by these conflicts, with calls for stronger support from Europe and the USA growing louder in response to the waves of attacks.
- The EU has yet to decide on providing lethal aid to Ukraine, despite pressure from its members and allies.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently denounced Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory as acts of aggression and has warned of retaliation.
- On Twitter, prominent voices from Europe and the USA expressed support for Ukraine, urging their governments to take stronger action against Russian aggression.
- As the new year began, tensions between Russia and Ukraine continued to escalate, with both sides reportedly preparing for further attacks in the weeks and months ahead.
Source: www.stern.de
