Ukraine needs weapons for defense and liberation of territory - Mykhailo Podolyak

He said this in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the translation of which is provided by the press service of the Presidential Administration.

"Now we have extremely heavy fighting in the Donetsk sector - in Bakhmut, Soledar and Avdiivka. Russia has no pity for its people, sending them into battle by the hundreds. That is why Ukraine needs more artillery and armored vehicles," emphasized the Presidential Administration spokesman.

Ukraine needs weapons not to prolong the conflict, but to defend and liberate its territory. So that the war ends in a fair way, said Podolyak.

"Russia must lose. Only this will be a guarantee for the world and Europe and will return relations between states within the framework of international law. These weapons serve to localize the conflict only in the occupied Ukrainian territories, it is a way to slow it down, preventing the conflict from spreading," he said.

The advisor to the head of the Presidential Office notes that Ukraine expects to receive from Italy weapons, missile defense, or air defense systems to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from cruise missiles and attack drones.

"We also need the supply of weapons for an effective counteroffensive and the liberation of the occupied territories. We have a precise list of these weapons with the desired names and quantities. We need systems and missiles for MLRS with a range of 200 kilometers to destroy the rear infrastructure of the Russian army, warehouses with shells and fuel storage facilities. This will significantly reduce the combat capability of the Russians. Heavy tanks and armored personnel carriers are also needed for a quick offensive. And 155-millimeter barrel artillery, drones," says Podolyak.

At the same time, he called on the Italian government to speed up the decision on the provision of weapons, as it concerns the lives of civilians and soldiers: "We have all the necessary guarantees. But the number and type of weapons depend on three factors. Is it necessary to produce it or is it already in stock? We also need agreements for the transfer and logistics of weapons delivery. Finally, we need the willingness to defend democracy, freedom and European values through the transfer of weapons to Ukraine."

• On November 7, 2022, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced that NASAMS and Aspide air defense systems had arrived in Ukraine. The Pentagon confirmed that Ukraine had received two NASAMS air defense systems, and the Ukrainian military had been trained to use these weapons.

• On December 1, the Pentagon ordered six more NASAMS air defense batteries for Ukraine for $1.2 billion.

• On January 4, 2023, it became known that France would transfer AMX-10RC wheeled tanks and ACMAT Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. This was promised to Zelenskyy by French President Emmanuel Macron during a telephone conversation.