Ukraine no longer counts on NATO to protect our country: FM

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The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba expressed his lack of confidence in NATO's protection of Ukraine, calling on the alliance to provide Kiev with weapons and equipment.

Answering reporters, Kuleba said he does not expect NATO to protect Ukraine. He added, however, that Ukraine's request is simple. Arm Ukraine and provide it with all the necessary weapons to fight by itself, he said.

The Foreign Minister's remarks echo those of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky who called the NATO summit "weak".

Zelensky further said that the summit was a confused one, and it "shows that not everyone considers the fight for freedom in Europe the number one goal."

The Ukrainian Minister indicated that his country considers the most urgent issue in the process of providing it with foreign military assistance is the provision of combat aircraft, saying the highest demand is for aircraft and combat aircraft, because, unfortunately, according to him, the strength of the air forces of Russia and Ukraine cannot be compared.

The Minister expressed confusion regarding the explanations given to Ukraine about why the planes were not transferred and expressed that Ukraine would continue to pressure foreign allies like the US.

According to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov, a high-precision attack by the Russian Armed Forces in western Ukraine killed up to 180 foreign mercenaries and destroyed huge amounts of foreign weaponry.

Konashenkov revealed that "up to 180 foreign mercenaries and a large amount of foreign weapons were destroyed," resulting from the strike on Ukrainian military centers in Starychi and a nearby training camp in Yavoriv. 

Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tersely stated that western countries are assisting Ukraine, but Kiev has yet to pay for it.

On March 10, Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Washington does not support sending more aircraft to the Ukrainian air force and does not want them in custody.

No more NATO 

Ukrainian President Zelensky also condemned NATO's rejection of establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Last month, the President had already released a video in which he addresses Ukraine, saying, "We ended up defending our country alone. Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone." 

Days ago, while one of the reasons why Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine is because of Ukraine's constant threat of joining NATO, Zelensky said he will no longer be pressing for NATO membership for Ukraine.