Tusk urges EU to help Ukraine's neighbors close to frontline
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Getty Images)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged the European Union to consider providing assistance to Ukraine's bordering neighbors, according to 20 Minutes.
"From the first days of the war, Poland has been giving Ukraine everything it could and even more. Today, Poland must build its security itself," Tusk said.
He added that the EU, not just Poland, should help Ukraine as much as possible.
"The whole Europe must think more actively about how to help countries like Poland and Estonia, which are located near the front line. If we are all a united Europe, it means that war is on our doorstep. That is why we will seek all possible ways to support Ukraine and countries most vulnerable to the consequences of this war," he said.
EU support for Ukraine
In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified shelling of populated areas and critical infrastructure in Ukraine with ballistic missiles. Only Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems, of which Ukraine has a limited number and which primarily cover Kyiv from strikes, can intercept such targets.
These days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine critically lacks air defense systems to protect itself against Russian missile attacks. He added that the Air Force has a certain stock of missiles for air defense systems, but with the high intensity of shelling, they may soon run out.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Ukraine is desperately requesting seven Patriot systems to protect its cities from Russian ballistic missiles, but the EU cannot provide them.
On April 10, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held a phone conversation with Borrell, discussing steps to search for additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.
