Ukrainian minister stated that it will nonetheless want continued deliveries from its allies to maintain effort.

Kyiv:

Ukraine has sufficient weapons to start its counter-offensive in opposition to Russia, and the operation will give the nation the victory it wants to hitch NATO, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba advised Reuters on Monday.

Membership of the army alliance would “probably” solely be attainable for Ukraine after the tip of energetic hostilities, Kuleba stated in an interview in Kyiv.

Ukraine has for months feted an unlimited upcoming assault to retake the 18% of its territory nonetheless occupied by Russia, utilizing tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery donated by its Western allies.

Ukraine’s deputy defence minister stated on Monday Kyiv was shifting to “offensive operations” on sure fronts however dismissed an earlier declare from Moscow {that a} main Ukrainian assault had taken place.

Kuleba didn’t say whether or not the counter-offensive had began when requested. He answered that crucial factor was not when it began, however that it resulted in Ukrainian victory.

The minister, who has served in his submit since March 2020, stated NATO membership was the following large goal on Ukraine’s agenda after a few of its allies agreed to coach Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jets coveted and lobbied for by Kyiv.

“We (already) unlocked all weapons…. There is nothing big left to fight for.”

“NATO membership cannot stop this war, but NATO membership will stop further wars. This is why the best way to ensure security in the region is to come to the moment when Ukraine becomes a member of NATO,” he stated.

Moscow stated within the early hours of Monday that it had thwarted a serious Ukrainian offensive involving six mechanised and two tank battalions within the southern a part of Ukraine’s Donetsk area.

Kyiv officers mocked that declare, with Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar saying the declare was supposed to distract from Russian defeats close to the jap metropolis of Bakhmut.

Kuleba stated that whereas Ukraine now had sufficient arms to start its counter-offensive, it will nonetheless want continued deliveries from its allies to maintain the hassle.

“When you go on the counter-offensive, it’s one thing to have enough weapons to begin it, but another thing to ensure sustainability of supplies in order to be able to continue as long as is needed.”

Kuleba stated he was “pretty confident” that Kyiv’s companions would proceed to produce arms till Kyiv reached its objectives, however acknowledged they’d face difficulties round manufacturing capability.

Earlier this yr, NATO elevated targets for stockpiling ammunition, saying that Kyiv is burning via shells a lot quicker than Western international locations can produce them and allied shares are badly depleted.

“It is crucial for partners to ramp up production of weapons, not only for Ukraine but for themselves. This can be done, this is being done, but I think that efforts must be stepped up,” Kuleba stated.

Asked whether or not he was involved that Saudi Arabia’s just lately introduced oil manufacturing minimize would assist fellow main oil producer Russia, Kuleba stated the choice was influenced by broader components, however that any transfer that might assist Russia make more cash was nonetheless “unwelcome”.

Speaking about current raids into the Russian border area of Belgorod performed by anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer militias which say they’re backed by Ukraine, Kuleba forged the violence as an inside Russian matter and stated it was none of his enterprise.

U.S. and Belgian officers earlier stated they have been investigating the attainable use of Western weapons by the militias inside Russian territory, one thing which might possible be seen as an escalation within the struggle.

Kuleba, nonetheless, stated his ministry had not obtained any formal complaints relating to the occasions in Belgorod.

“Usually when you want to express your concern with something, you send a note, and we haven’t received anything,” he stated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)