Dusseldorf The Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk is demanding more arms from Germany for his country’s fight against the Russian invasion troops. From his point of view, tanks, warships or drones can also be used as defensive weapons, he said in an interview with the Handelsblatt.
In addition, a supply corridor from Germany via Poland to the city of Kharkiv must be set up quickly. Melnyk spoke of “a Berlin Airlift 2.0” – but overland.
Melnyk reiterated Ukraine’s call for a no-fly zone to be established over the country, especially over the nuclear power plants. The NATO allies have clearly rejected this so far because they do not want to risk a direct confrontation with Russia. “A creative solution can be found,” said Melnyk. NATO must discuss exactly what this could look like. But if Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promises that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not win, Ukraine will need more help.
The Ukrainian ambassador also called for economic and financial sanctions against Russia to be expanded. The exclusion of Russian banks from the Swift payment system must be extended to other banks than the seven previous institutions and also include the largest Russian bank Sberbank.
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In addition, Europe and the USA would also have to think about stopping gas imports. The frozen assets of Russian oligarchs as a result of the sanctions, Melnyk believes, should be donated to Ukraine and used for reconstruction.
Melnyk is hoping for special support from Berlin for his country’s status as a candidate for EU membership.
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