Europe should expand sanctions on Russia and reduce its capabilities to produce weapons using foreign components in response to the recent missile strike on Ukraine, said Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Early in the morning of 2 January 2024, Ukraine came under a massive Russian missile attack, with ten aeroballistic Kinzhal missiles fired on the capital Kyiv. As a result of the strike, five civilians were killed, and 130 were injured.
“I believe we must respond to this latest Kremlin attack in a language Vladimir Putin understands: by strengthening sanctions to prevent the production of new weapons from contraband components.
Additionally, we should supply Kyiv with long-range missiles to target Russian command centers, ammunition depots, and launch sites,” Sikorski stated.
He underlined that EU countries are prepared to keep providing assistance to Ukraine despite “voices” suggesting that aid to Kyiv should be given cautiously to avoid “escalation of the conflict.”
“Addressing the supporters of this thesis, I must emphasize that Europe is witnessing the biggest war since the defeat of Nazi Germany. This war was initiated by the Russian president despite numerous calls and efforts by Western politicians to avoid it.
Can any intelligent individual, who is aware of these facts, genuinely believe that limiting support to the victim will calm the aggressor?” Sikorski emphasized.
Regarding his response to those urging Ukraine to capitulate, he said, “Do they really believe that someone willing to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for the sake of his ambitions will be satisfied with a piece of another country’s territory?”
“History shows that in such cases, appetites grow with eating,” said Sikorski.
The foreign minister stated that he believes Russia must lose the war against Ukraine.
“It is in the interests not only of Ukraine and the rest of democratic Europe but also of the Russians themselves,” he underlined.
According to him, Russia, devoid of imperial ambitions, will be able to build a state that cares for the rights of its citizens and doesn’t wage wars on its neighbors.
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