War in Ukraine, day 1014: kyiv requests anti-aircraft means, Russian advance stopped

► Ukraine requests 20 new anti-aircraft defense systems from NATO

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy Andriï Sybiga demanded on Tuesday December 3 in Brussels that NATO allies provide him with 20 new anti-aircraft defense systems, to counter Russian missile strikes.

Ukraine needs, according to him, “urgent deliveries of additional systems such as Hawks, Nasams, or Iris-T”. “This will help us avoid the blackout”said the minister at NATO headquarters, while Russian strikes have been working for weeks to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

► Ukraine says it prevented the Russians from crossing a river in the East

The Ukrainian army claimed to have prevented Russian forces from crossing the Oskil River near the eastern city of Kupiansk, a natural barrier which acts as a front line in this area.

“As a result of a successful operation, the enemy was destroyed. The right bank of the Oskil River is under the control of the forces » Ukrainians, the army general staff said in a statement.

► kyiv reiterates its desire to join NATO

The “only true” security guarantee for Ukraine is membership “full” to NATO, hammered Ukrainian diplomacy, while the foreign ministers of the Alliance met in Brussels.

“We are convinced that the only real security guarantee for Ukraine, while serving as a deterrent against further Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine’s full membership in NATO »indicated Ukrainian diplomacy in a press release.

Ukraine’s membership in NATO would constitute an “unacceptable” threat to Russia, the Kremlin said. “This would constitute a threatening event for us”judged the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, Dmitri Peskov, during a briefing.

► FRG, Finland: these historical precedents evoked for Ukraine peace

From the accession of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to NATO in 1955 to the neutrality of Finland during the Cold War, Western diplomats are reviewing their contemporary history, looking for ways out of the war in Ukraine.

“Everyone mentions the precedent of the FRG in 1955”notes a former high-ranking European diplomat. The parallel with Ukraine is tempting: joining NATO then meant for the FRG renouncing rapid reunification with the neighboring GDR. In addition, NATO security guarantees were limited to the territory of the FRG only, in order to prevent the Cold War from degenerating into a military or even nuclear conflict between East and West.

For the military aspect, another historical precedent is mentioned, that of post-World War II Finland. By a treaty signed in 1948 with the USSR, Finland agreed to observe strict neutrality in exchange for the recognition of its independence by its powerful neighbor, with whom it shares nearly 1,300 km of border.