Poroshenko urges NATO officials to help Kyiv down Russian missiles

During a NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Ukraine’s former president urged NATO’s acting deputy Secretary General, Boris Ruge, to convince Ukraine’s western allies to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over Alliance member states.

Poroshenko argued it could bolster Ukraine’s chances of victory.

“If NATO countries near Ukraine, like Poland, aren’t attacking Russian missiles and drones over Ukrainian territory, why not permit them to shoot down Russian, Iranian, and Korean missiles and drones over their own airspace? That would greatly help us,” Poroshenko asserted.

In response, Ruge admitted that discussions about what many call a humanitarian air defense shield over Ukraine were  shelved due as there was no consensus among Alliance members. However, he made it clear that NATO countries bordering Ukraine still  have the right to shoot down any missiles or drones violating their airspace.

“NATO allies are, of course, authorized and prepared to intercept any objects breaching their airspace. We stand ready to defend against such aggression,” Ruge stated.

Poroshenko also stressed that NATO states should be true to their words when it comes to “open door” declarations for Ukraine’s alliance membership.

“If the doors are open, let us in. If you don’t, then they’re closed. We must send a strong message that opening NATO’s doors benefits your own security,” he declared.

Ruge affirmed the significance of Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations, emphasizing that it would become a reality once all 32 Alliance members reached a consensus.