The Ukrainian foreign minister Sunday praised Turkish drones, saying Ukraine is buying them to defend itself.
Responding to reporters’ questions on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Dmytro Kuleba said Ukraine is buying Turkish drones “because Turkish drones are very good.”
“Drones are needed to deter Russia so that Russia thinks twice, before planning any escalation or any large-scale attack on Ukraine,” Kuleba added.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS OF THE INTERVIEW
Ukraine has bought some drones from Turkey. Why did you buy those drones from Turkey? And how does that fit into your concerns about Russia in your own defense plans?
Because Turkish drones are very good. Because Turkey did not lean under the pressure of Russia. Because Turkey is a country that respects itself and is respected by other countries, and we made a good deal beneficial for both sides.
Strategically, we want to do two things. We want Turkish drones to be equipped with Ukrainian engines. And we want to localize production of drones in Ukraine.
We are working with our Turkish partners on those on both of these tracks, and we’re pretty successful. I think everything in the plan will work out eventually.
I would like to ask if drones will be used in Donbas region?
Drones are needed to deter Russia so that Russia thinks twice, before planning, any escalation or any large-scale attack on Ukraine. And this goes not only for drones, but for any kind of military equipment Ukraine is purchasing.
We are not buying drones, buying military equipment, in particular drones, to attack. We are buying it to defend ourselves. And it’s a matter of principle, this is the distinction.
And I can tell you that Russia spares no effort to talk countries out of selling arms to Ukraine, because Russia wants a weak Ukraine, the weaker we are the easier for Russia.
So first drones is a deterrence tool. But of course, if Russia attacks and involves in large-scale military conflict with us, then we will be using drones in any part of Ukrainian territory to defend ourselves.