Ukrainian envoy requests air defense support from NATO countries.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, reiterates the need for defending Russian airstrikes on Western Ukraine from a NATO-controlled area. He suggests that enemy rockets and drones should be intercepted using systems in countries neighboring Ukraine. Makeiev expressed these thoughts in an article for the website "Zeit Online".
Lately, Ukraine has been under constant bombardment of Russian airstrikes, and troops are also advancing. Makeiev cautions, "As they conquer a kilometer in Ukraine, they inch that much closer to the EU."
The ambassador believes that it's feasible and legal to protect western Ukrainian airspace from beyond the Ukrainian border. The successful interception of the Iranian air attack on Israel in April, where the US, UK, Jordan, and other nations participated in the operation, serves as an example. As per international law outlined in the UN Charter, a country under attack has the right to defend itself, and other countries can aide without being targeted in return.
This concept isn't novel, according to Makeiev, referring to it being previously denied to Ukraine. However, history has proved that what was considered impossible back then, is now achievable.
Just after the initiation of the Russian invasion in February 2022, there was a call for closing the entire airspace over Ukraine to the Russian air force, which was refused by ally nations. They were reluctant to engage in direct confrontation and potentially escalate risks involving a nuclear power. Moreover, it's now evident that Russia is using drones, rockets, and cruise missiles for airstrikes deep inside Ukrainian territory.
