During the talks between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, the two discussed further strengthening of Ukraine's air defence, the ministers said at a joint press conference on Monday, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"The main topic of the talks, frankly, was air defence systems. Norwegian NASAMS have proven themselves extremely well in Ukraine, and we are grateful that the Norwegian government is making efforts to ensure that Ukraine has more of these systems, but the Norwegian government also has the tools and capabilities to help us get Patriot systems from other countries, and we have also discussed this topic in detail today," Kuleba said.
Eide, in turn, noted that Norway is aware of the complexity of the situation in Ukraine, and that air defence is one of the leading topics.
"We have already mentioned NASAMS, and we are also increasing the production of these newest missiles, but they are produced not only in Norway, there is a conglomerate of countries that produce them. We are working on this. And Mr Kuleba also said that we are now talking with other countries about how we can provide more Patriots, because air defence is very important to protect your economy, your energy infrastructure, to protect your population and to maintain morale. Of course, it is not enough to win with air defence alone, but it is a very important component," the Foreign Minister stressed.
Kuleba noted that appropriate steps to provide Ukraine with additional air defence systems will be taken in the near future.
"I would like to thank the Minister for his sincere desire to ensure that what we have discussed today is fulfilled in terms of providing more air defence equipment to Ukraine. I have no doubt that Norway is doing everything it can from what I have heard today. This does not happen overnight. However, we both share a common understanding that the new air defence batteries must be delivered as soon as possible. And we have already identified specific steps that Norway will take, even today, as the minister told me, to move forward in this direction," Kuleba said.
Background. As reported, Germany will provide Ukraine with another Patriot system. Kuleba said that Kyiv is negotiating the purchase of two more Patriot systems and one SAMP/T system.