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Russia-Ukraine war: We need to do more to help Ukraine, Nato chief says – as it happened

Jens Stoltenberg tells Nato meeting that Ukraine needs more air defences and assistance from western allies. This live blog is closed

• 2d ago Summary of the day
• 2d ago We need to do more to help Ukraine, Nato chief says
• 2d ago 'Nice stories don't win wars', Lithuanian minister says
• 2d ago Kuleba urges Blinken to find ways to provide more Patriots
• 2d ago 'Loud and clear': German foreign minister says capitals will be asked to look for air defences
• 2d ago Ukraine will join Nato, says US secretary of state
• 2d ago Macron says he has 'no doubt' Russia will target Paris Olympics
• 3d ago Zelenskiy reiterates call for strengthening air defences
• 3d ago 'They have plenty of them': At Nato, Kuleba stresses need for Patriots
• 3d ago Two killed in drone attack on Kherson
• 3d ago 350,000 people without power in Kharkiv region
• 3d ago 'Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before', Kyiv's mission says
• 3d ago Four killed in drone attack on Kharkiv
• 3d ago Nato ministers gather for talks on alliance's 75th anniversary

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.

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.

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.

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.

'Nice stories don't win wars', Lithuanian minister says

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

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. I briefed Secretary Blinken on Russia's increased air terror against Ukrainian cities and… pic.twitter.com/8WcdgBwF1D — Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 4, 2024

'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

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.

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”.

The Finnish government will extend the closure of border crossings with Russia until further notice, the government said today, Reuters reported.

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Ukraine war briefing: fresh hope for US House vote on Kyiv aid deal

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Children and their families in Ukraine are facing a deadly crisis as hostilities increasing. Like all conflicts, the ability to provide urgent humanitarian aid supplies is critical to their ability to survive and thrive. 

Intensifying hostilities in Ukraine pose an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children.

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URGENT: As needs continue to soar, children in Ukraine need your urgent support

 “When the war affects children’s lives, it’s awful. After all, everyone grows up with dreams. And the war takes them away and destroys the future. Children should not be victims of conflict” Natalka, 16 

UNICEF stands in solidarity with children in Ukraine: UNICEF remains committed and fully operational in the country to support those who need us the most right now: vulnerable children living in fear and distress, and in need of essential supplies.

“The children of Ukraine need peace, desperately, now,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell said in a Feb. 24 statement. “UNICEF calls on all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm, and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need.”

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Masha (9 years old) is one of an entire generation of children who have grown up listening to the sound of gunfire and are now being shaped by violence and displacement.

Together with her mother, four sisters and a brother, Masha lives in an apartment in a partially destroyed building in eastern Ukraine. Conflict has raged here for over eight years. Every day, Masha endures the threat of shelling, landmines, a lack of heating and hot water, and a fight for education. Shrapnel is embedded in the walls and windows are covered with plywood.

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