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Blinken: "Poland received the "green light" for the supply of fighters to Ukraine" (updated)

Kuleba met with the US Secretary of State and the Polish Foreign Minister.

Blinken: "Poland received the "green light" for the supply of fighters to Ukraine" (updated)
Photo: EPA/UPG

The Voice of America reported that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had met on Ukraine's border with Poland to discuss the West's efforts to support Ukraine and isolate Russia from attacking a neighbouring country.

The broadcaster noted that Blinken and Kuleba held talks at the border crossing through which refugees, primarily women and children, travel from Ukraine to Poland.

"The whole world supports Ukraine, and I am here in Ukraine with my friend, my colleague," Blinken said.

Kuleba added: "I hope that the Ukrainian people will be able to see in this a clear manifestation of the fact that we have friends who literally support us." The Foreign Minister said that during the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the supply of weapons to Ukraine and the campaign to isolate Russia internationally and damage its economy through sanctions.

"In the end, Ukraine will win the war with Russia, but its international supporters need to help Kyiv more to end the conflict as soon as possible," he said.

Kuleba noted that Ukraine especially needs fighter aircraft and air defence systems. He also added that the Stinger anti-aircraft systems provided by Western countries significantly helped the defence forces. Thus, the Ukrainian air defence forces shot down three Russian military planes on Saturday.

"If they [the Western allies] continue to supply us with the necessary weapons, the price of [the conflict] will be lower. It will save many lives," he said.

Kuleba also informed Blinken that he did not see any progress in negotiations with Russia on a ceasefire on Ukraine's border with Belarus but noted that the third round of the negotiations was scheduled for Monday.

Before meeting with Kuleba, Blinken visited the refugee reception centre. By the end of the weekend, the refugee number could have grown to 1.5m from the current 1.3m.

Blinken arrived in Poland from Brussels, where he met with NATO, G7 and European Union foreign ministers on Friday to discuss western efforts to restrain Russia through a program of strict sanctions.

Later, at a briefing, Kuleba said that he also had met with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Ukrinform reports.

Kuleba noted that he had discussed the issue of providing Ukraine with combat aircraft to protect the airspace with the Polish official.

"Nevertheless, there is a clear understanding among our partners that we need fighter jets to stop the barbaric destruction of our cities and people from the sky," he said.

In an interview with CBS News, Blinken said that NATO members, including Poland, had received the "green light" to send fighters to Ukraine while the United States and its allies were building up its defence support, Ukrinform reports.

He also explained that the United States, for its part, will strengthen Poland with its defence capabilities.

"We are currently discussing with our Polish friends what we could do to meet their needs if they actually decide to give these fighters to Ukrainians," Blinken said.

As you know, NATO countries provide military assistance to Ukraine, most of which passes through Poland. However, the Alliance rejected Ukraine's demands to establish a no-fly zone, saying it could provoke a much broader and more dangerous conflict with Russia.

Russia describes its actions as a "special military operation" aimed at "demilitarizing" Ukraine.

Earlier, the US Secretary of State promised Kuleba more weapons and new sanctions against Russia.

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