Summary of the day
Nato foreign ministers met for a second day in Brussels, marking the 75th anniversary of the alliance’s founding.
The ministers held talks with Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister.
Kuleba stressed Ukraine’s call for more air defences. “Saving Ukrainian lives, saving Ukrainian economy, saving Ukrainian cities depends on the availability of Patriots and other air defence systems in Ukraine.
He also emphasised that “providing Patriots depends on allies, they have plenty of them.”
The Ukrainian minister also said he spoke with the American secretary of state, Antony Blinken, and “urged our American partners to find ways to provide additional ‘Patriot’ air defence systems as soon as possible.”
The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said that “we heard loud and clear what the foreign minister said” and that Berlin will ask allies to check if they can provide more air defences.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian foreign minister, has said that “without significant deliveries of weapons and real security guarantees the glorious narrative of unity and solidarity with Ukraine is wearing thin and rapidly approaching cynicism.”
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, also reiterated the need for air defences. “Strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities directly translates into saving lives,” he said on social media.
After the ministers’ meeting, Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, emphasised that more needs to be done to help Ukraine.
Allies will now go back and look into their inventories to see if there’s any way to provide more air defence systems, Stoltenberg.
The Nato chief also said allies should be able to establish a stronger, more robust framework for long-term support for Ukraine, so aid can continue on a more predictable basis.
Kharkiv’s regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said that four people were killed and 12 were wounded in Russian drone attacks.
Around 350,000 residents were without power in the Kharkiv region following the overnight drone attack, the Ukrainian energy ministry said.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said that he had “no doubt” that Russia would target the Paris Olympics this summer.
Stoltenberg also said he opposes any attempt by Georgia’s government to introduce a law on foreign agents.
The situation on the battlefield is difficult, Jens Stoltenberg said, stressing that there is an urgency when it comes to mobilising ore support for Ukraine.
If more support is not mobilised, there is a risk that Russia captures more territory, he warned.
The Ukrainians have demonstrated they are extremely capable of using the equipment provided by Nato allies, he said.
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The Nato secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, said allies need to do two things: mobilise more support for Kyiv in the coming days and weeks, and but then also ensure that we’re able to establish a stronger, more robust framework for long-term support, so aid can continue on a more predictable basis.
The Nato chief reiterated that the alliance’s military leadership has been tasked with coming up with a structure, which would have to be underpinned by a financial commitment. He declined to go into more detail about plans.
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Asked about Ukraine’s ask for more air defences, Jens Stoltenberg said allies understand the urgency.
Allies will now go back and look into their inventories to see if there’s any way to provide more systems, including Patriots, he said.
It’s partly a question of systems, and partly a question of delivering interceptors, the Nato chief said, stressing recent announcements of extra support.
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We need to do more to help Ukraine, Nato chief says
Wrapping up a two-day meeting of Nato foreign ministers, the alliance’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, told reporters that the situation in the battlefield in Ukraine remains serious and that Ukraine needs more air defences and assistance.
We need to do even more, he said, adding that support needs to be put on a more enduring basis.
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'Nice stories don't win wars', Lithuanian minister says
Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian foreign minister, has said that “without significant deliveries of weapons and real security guarantees the glorious narrative of unity and solidarity with Ukraine is wearing thin and rapidly approaching cynicism.”
In a sharply-worded thread on social media, the outspoken minister said that “comforting stories can help win elections. But if they are false they immobilise us, prevent us from taking real action, while Ukrainians continue to die for us.”
He added: “There is little mystery about what can happen if we keep waiting for a miracle. Territories can be lost, countries can be occupied. There is no positive spin to this story, no happy ending, unless we choose to rewrite this scrip.”
Nice stories don’t win wars. Without significant deliveries of weapons and real security guarantees the glorious narrative of unity and solidarity with Ukraine is wearing thin and rapidly approaching cynicism. 🧵👇
— Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) April 4, 2024
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Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, will soon address reporters. Stay tuned.
Kuleba urges Blinken to find ways to provide more Patriots
The Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said he spoke with the American secretary of state, Antony Blinken, and “urged our American partners to find ways to provide additional ‘Patriot’ air defense systems as soon as possible.”
Kuleba also noted that they “discussed next steps in the coming days and weeks to unlock supplemental US aid for Ukraine.”
I was pleased to meet with @SecBlinken in Brussels to express my gratitude to the United States for all of its assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 4, 2024
I briefed Secretary Blinken on Russia's increased air terror against Ukrainian cities and… pic.twitter.com/8WcdgBwF1D
'Loud and clear': German foreign minister says capitals will be asked to look for air defences
Speaking alongside her Ukrainian counterpart, the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said at Nato headquarters that “we heard loud and clear what the foreign minister said and I also would like to underline, we see what’s happening in Ukraine, realising that you need this air defence now.”
She added: “We will call in Europe again that everybody has to check where their air defence is, what they can provide for Ukraine.”
Together with @ABaerbock we have just attended the NATO-Ukraine council meeting in Brussels. Ukraine’s greatest need right now is to urgently strengthen air defense. I thank Germany and other allies for answering the call and taking action right away. pic.twitter.com/wgfs96Mv9k
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 4, 2024
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Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said China has proposed the most reasonable peace plan so far for resolving the Ukraine conflict, Reuters reported.
“The most important thing for us is that the Chinese document is based on an analysis of the reasons for what is happening and the need to eliminate these root causes. It is structured in logic from the general to the specific,” state news agency RIA quoted Lavrov saying.
“This plan was criticized for being vague... But this is a reasonable plan that the great Chinese civilization proposed for discussion,” he said.
The EU has fired a warning shot at the Georgian government after it announced it was resurrecting a bill on “foreign agents” that it abandoned last year after critics compared it to current Russian laws silencing criticism in the media.
In a statement the EU’s external service reminded Georgia that “ensuring media freedom” was one of the “crucial” conditions of the EU membership process.
“The European Union recalls the public pledge of the Georgian government and the ruling party from last year to “unconditionally withdraw” such legislation. The EU regrets that it is once again being considered despite strong public and international reactions in March 2023,” it said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that critics of the draft law “need to more actively explain the absurdity of considering this a Russian project”.
Peskov added that Russia wants “stability and predictability” in Georgia, and defended the proposed law, saying: “No state wants interference from other countries in domestic politics; this is normal practice.”
Romania’s foreign minister, Luminița Odobescu, has called for “ambitious actions” to support Ukraine.
At NATO-Ukraine Council: Stressed critical need to maintain steadfast support for 🇺🇦’s Euro-Atlantic path. The Washington Summit offers a crucial opportunity for ambitious actions in this direction. We remain firmly committed to providing support for #UA as long as needed. pic.twitter.com/zZ3NokLRuP
— Luminita Odobescu (@Odobes1Luminita) April 4, 2024
Ukraine will join Nato, says US secretary of state
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said that Ukraine will eventually become a Nato member, adding that support for the country was “rock solid” among member states.
“Ukraine will become a member of Nato. Our purpose at the summit is to help build a bridge to that membership,” Blinken told reporters in Brussels on Thursday.
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Russian troops launched a wave of Shahed drones against Ukraine’s second-biggest city, Kharkiv, overnight. Four people were killed and 12 were wounded, the regional governor has said.
Watch the latest footage from the attack:
Macron says he has 'no doubt' Russia will target Paris Olympics
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he had “no doubt” that Russia would target the Paris Olympics this summer.
When asked about Russia’s threat to the Olympics by a reporter, Macron said, “I have no doubt whatsoever, including in terms of information.”
His comment, delivered at an event in Paris for the inauguration of the new Olympics aquatic centre, is the most explicit acknowledgement to date of foreign threats to the security of the games.
Macron has recently adopted a tougher stance on the war, vowing that Moscow must be defeated, although he has made clear that France has no intention of instigating hostilities against Russia. Earlier this week, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said France will propose EU-wide level sanctions on those behind spreading “disinformation”.
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The Finnish government will extend the closure of border crossings with Russia until further notice, the government said today, Reuters reported.
Zelenskiy reiterates call for strengthening air defences
“We are working with our partners to strengthen the protection of our cities and villages and to protect our citizens,” the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said this morning.
“Strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities directly translates into saving lives,” he stressed.
A strike on Kharkiv, just an ordinary apartment building. With three Shaheds. A despicable and cynical attack, when the rescuers arrived at the scene of the strike, the terrorists attacked again.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 4, 2024
As a result of the attack, 4 people were killed. Among them were our rescuers:… pic.twitter.com/SgIKCdxG0U
Relations between Russia and Nato have slid to the level of direct confrontation as the U.S.-led military bloc is already involved in the conflict in Ukraine and continues to expand towards Russia’s borders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, Reuters reported.
'They have plenty of them': At Nato, Kuleba stresses need for Patriots
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, wished “happy birthday” to Nato. Speaking alongside Jens Stoltenberg, Kuleba said he has arrived in Brussels against the backdrop of “continued unprecedented missile and drone attacks.”
“I don’t want to spoil the party … the birthday party, but my main message today will be Patriots,” he said.
Kuleba added:
Saving Ukrainian lives, saving Ukrainian economy, saving Ukrainian cities depends on the availability of Patriots and other air defence systems in Ukraine.
He also emphasised that “providing Patriots depends on allies, they have plenty of them.”
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Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, has reiterated this morning that support for Ukraine is not charity, but an investment in the alliance’s security.
Nato foreign ministers will meet today with their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.
Speaking alongside Kuleba, Stoltenberg said the sides will discuss how to strengthen cooperation and “how we can move you towards membership in Nato.”
The ministers will also once again discuss how to step up and sustain support for Kyiv, the Nato chief said, underscoring that they will talk about how to create a more “predictable” framework for support.
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Here are the latest images from Ukraine. At least four people were killed in Kharkiv in a Russian drone attack.
Two killed in drone attack on Kherson
Two people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Kherson region, Russian-installed official Andrey Alekseenko said today, Reuters reported. A Russian-installed official also said one person was killed in Ukrainian shelling of the city of Donetsk.
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350,000 people without power in Kharkiv region
Around 350,000 residents are without power in the Kharkiv region following an overnight drone attack, Reuters reported citing the Ukrainian energy ministry.
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In an unusually pro-western speech, the Hungarian foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, said at a ceremony marking Nato’s 75th anniversary that “now we are a proud member of the world’s strongest defence alliance.”
“We are proud to be a reliable ally – a reliable ally which contributes and is committed to contribute to the safety and security of our community,” he said, adding: “We are proud to be here, and our predecessors are proud as well, that we are finally here.”
'Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before', Kyiv's mission says
“Ukraine’s fight for freedom is NATO’s fight for a stronger future. And today, Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before,” Ukraine’s mission to Nato said as the alliance marks its 75th anniversary today.
Today marks the 75th anniversary since @NATO was founded.
— UKR Mission to NATO (@UKRinNATO) April 4, 2024
Wishing the alliance to grow even stronger in the years to come 🤝
Ukraine's fight for freedom is NATO's fight for a stronger future. And today, #Ukraine is closer to #NATO than ever before.#1NATO75years pic.twitter.com/VQkTTU4KGV
Nato ministers gather for talks on alliance's 75th anniversary
Foreign ministers from Nato’s 32 members are gathering for a second day in Brussels today. They are marking the 75-year anniversary of the defensive alliance, and will also hold talks with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Later in the day, the minister will also meet with representatives of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the EU.
Four killed in drone attack on Kharkiv
Good morning, the time has just passed 10am in Kyiv and Moscow.
Associated Press has reported that Russian troops launched waves of Shahed drones against Kharkiv overnight. The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said that four people were killed and 12 were wounded.
Russia attacked Ukraine’s second-biggest city with at least 15 drones, some of which were shot down by air defences.
Three rescuers were killed when Russia struck a multi-storey building damaged in an earlier strike. Six people were wounded at that location. Another 14-storey building was hit by a drone, killing a 69-year-old woman.
Kharkiv has become a frequent target for Russian troops in recent weeks. The eastern city is close to the border with Russia and has been hit with both ballistic missiles and drones.
A recent massive missile attack that aimed to significantly damage Ukraine’s energy infrastructure plunged most of Kharkiv into darkness, and the situation there is still being stabilised.
“Each manifestation of Russian terror once again proves that the country-terrorist deserves only one thing — a tribunal,” Ukraine’s human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, published on Telegram in response to the attack.
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