Air defence, pressure and sanctions: Ukraine's foreign minister again urges partners to act after Russian strike on Sumy

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged Ukraine's international partners to speed up air defence assistance and increase pressure on Russia after a Russian guided aerial bomb hit a residential building in the centre of the city of Sumy.

Source: European Pravda, citing Sybiha on X (Twitter) on 4 July

Details: Sybiha released photos from the scene of the tragedy in Sumy, explaining that the destruction was caused by a Russian guided aerial bomb. The strike killed four people and injured more than 30.

Quote: "Moscow has long stopped pretending to distinguish between military targets and residential neighbourhoods. It bombs apartment buildings in the middle of the night because it believes it can do so without facing consequences. Those who still believe that Russia can be persuaded to stop by words should look at Sumy today."

Sybiha pointed out that Moscow understands only the language of strength and that more measures of persuasion are needed.

Quote: "Every Russian attack sends the same message: Moscow has no intention of stopping its war… The world must answer with action, not words. Ukraine urgently needs additional air defence systems and interceptors.

Russia must face stronger sanctions, deeper isolation, and growing pressure until terror is no longer a viable instrument of its policy. This is the only way to force Russia to stop this war."

Background:

• Earlier this week, Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appealed to nearly 40 partner countries requesting the urgent transfer of Patriot missiles from existing stocks this month.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the supply of air defence missiles with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

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