He made this comment in response to recent reports that the United States has urged Kyiv to cease attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and oil facilities, fearing that Ukrainian drone strikes could lead to a rise in global energy prices.
While Kuleba did not directly confirm this information, when asked if he sometimes feels that Western allies want Ukraine to fight with its hands tied behind its back, he replied, “Yes, I have that feeling.”
He also expressed concern that the actions of allies do not always match their rhetoric and, as the war drags on, they “return to their usual way of conducting politics.”
As an example, he cited the story of previously promised Western weapons being delayed or supplied in insufficient quantities, and then allies claiming that Ukraine is retreating and cannot win. And allies question why they should provide Ukraine with weapons that “change the rules of the game.”
“But, guys, the whole picture you’re painting is the result of one simple fact – Ukrainian soldiers don’t have enough weapons because you haven’t provided them,” he said.
Kuleba also noted that while Ukraine has never asked for the deployment of troops, EU leaders need to get used to the idea that “this day may come.”
“I understand very well that Europeans are not accustomed to the idea of war,” he said.
“But this carelessness is something Europeans simply cannot afford – neither for themselves nor for their children. Ukraine can win. But if Ukraine loses, Putin will not stop,” he concluded.