The major need of Ukraine right now is to have the West ensure a no-fly zone over the country’s territory, Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania Petro Beshta has said.
“A no-fly zone over Ukraine – this is the top priority now,” he told reporters after a meeting with Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen on Wednesday.
“The problem is that Russia has switched its military strategy to civilian objects, shelling the big cities, already doing it for a couple of days,” Beshta added.
The Alliance has been called to help ensure a no-fly zone over Ukraine as Russia’s aviation has started attacking civilian targets in Ukraine.
“There are a lot of civilian casualties, victims. Russia has just moved to a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine because they can’t occupy us on the ground since our resistance is very strong,” the ambassador said.
He also thanked the Lithuanian government and the country’s people for their full support.
“I want to thank the Lithuanian government, politicians, everyone. We feel your support every day, you are our very close partners and friends,” Beshta said.
According to the parliament speaker, a no-fly zone over Ukraine ensured by the international community no longer seemed impossible given recent developments.
“It was hardly imaginable just a week ago that such countries as Switzerland would break their neutrality. Therefore, nothing can be ruled out,” Čmilytė-Nielsen said.
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