Ukraine can defend itself, but it needs defensive weapons, sanctions against Russia -Poroshenko

KYIV. Dec 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine can defend itself, but it needs defensive weapons, sanctions against Russia and the unity of Western partners, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko said.

"We are able to defend our land ourselves, but we certainly need defensive weapons and ‘hellish’ sanctions against Russia today if the aggression continues," the press service of the European Solidarity quotes Poroshenko as saying on the air of the Italian TV channel Sky TG24.

According to him, Ukraine needs support from the EU and the U.S. on the path of reforms that strengthen the country’s stability. "We certainly need the unity of the entire Free World. In this situation, we need a strong and united voice for diplomatic pressure on Russia. And in this case, there is no doubt that we will achieve success," the politician said.

"If you ask me whether we can expect that Putin start a new escalation of the war, I will answer like this: no one knows, because Putin himself does not know whether he will go further or not. It will depend on how effective, how strong and how united the free world is," Poroshenko said.

Also, the leader of European Solidarity is convinced that the summit between the presidents of the U.S. and the Russian Federation, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, is "absolutely the right decision."

"The united voice of Ukraine and NATO is also absolutely the right decision. And increasing support for Ukraine with defense weapons is absolutely the right decision too. I think that inside Ukraine […] I have no doubt that we need to be united to protect our values, our European integration and sovereignty," Poroshenko said.