There are countries that are not going to sell weapons to Ukraine in sufficient quantities - Kuleba

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this in an interview with Politico, Ukrinform reports.

"We also have to face one fact: There are countries in the world who have what Ukraine needs but who are not going to sell it in sufficient quantities for political reasons," he said.

"Instead of counting on them and spending months on trying to convince them, production has to be launched so that … we do not fall dependent on the whims of the third countries who have stuff in stocks but who are not willing to share it," Kuleba added.

The Ukrainian minister said officials need to be realistic — and less reliant on fickle partners.

In addition, he called on NATO countries to "begin the production of necessary weapons today," and if this does not happen, he cautioned, "we won't be able to win — as simple as that."

The minister specified that Ukraine needs air defense, tanks and production lines.

While praising Ukraine's partners for their contribution to Ukraine's defenses, Kuleba was also blunt about the changes he would like to see in Western decision-making regarding support for Kyiv.

"We wasted too much time — and too many lives, and too many square kilometers of our land. So I think — I hope — that the wisdom will prevail, that everything should be done on time, and we should not wait for another tragedy to unfold in order for someone to be able to overcome the psychological barriers of making one or another decision about Ukraine," Kuleba said.

Asked about those who would like to see Ukraine consider negotiating with Russia, the minister said reports of pressure are overstated.

"I have to say that this notion of soft pressure on Ukraine is largely exaggerated," Kuleba said.

"I wouldn't say it doesn't exist, but it has not taken a form of — even of a soft pressure," he said, adding: "I would call it just a discussion on what's next, how are we going to handle it together."

On November 29-30, Bucharest will host a ministerial meeting of NATO member states at the level of foreign ministers. An overview of the current situation at the front in Ukraine and outlining the most effective ways to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian civilians in the face of Russian missile terror will be one of the main topics of the meeting.