Kyiv continues to work not only with neighboring countries, but also with a wider range of partners to build a coalition that will support the decision to shoot down Russian drones and missiles in Ukrainian airspace. This was announced by Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi during a briefing, according to a UNN correspondent .
“As for shooting down missiles and drones in Ukrainian space, Ukraine's position remains unchanged: we need a solution that will allow neighboring countries, not only Poland, but neighboring countries, to use their air defense systems to shoot down missiles and drones in Ukrainian space. At least missiles and drones heading in the direction of these countries, and this is logical,” Tychy said.
He said that Ukraine believes that this, first of all, strengthens the security of these countries.
“If they can shoot down missiles that threaten their airspace before they enter it, it seems to me that this is in the national interest of that country. Secondly, according to international law, it is neither an escalation nor a country's participation in a war if it shoots down a missile or a drone. We believe that it is a humanitarian action to shoot down missiles and drones over Ukraine that are flying at people and infrastructure,” Tikhiy said.
He also noted that Ukraine understands that decisions of neighboring countries are not enough for this solution.
“We have already expressed warnings at the level of the Alliance (NATO - ed.) that this should be a broader decision supported by more countries. We understand this and continue to work not only with neighboring countries, but also with a wider range of partners to build a coalition of support for this decision, this work is ongoing,” Tychy said.
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In September, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the words of its head Radoslaw Sikorski about shooting down missiles over the territory of Ukraine.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the British daily Financial Times that “Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine are obliged to shoot down Russian missiles before they enter their airspace.
In October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was working with its allies to shoot down Russian missiles over the country, but they were not yet ready.