The European Union on Monday frustrated Ukraine's urgent plea for more air defence capabilities by failing to come up with concrete commitments at a meeting of foreign and defence ministers.

"We can prevent the worst-case scenarios if we act together and without fear. We need concrete and bold decisions today," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told his EU counterparts via videolink.

"Now that you are all here at the table, it's time to act, not to debate."

Ukraine has asked for seven additional US-made Patriot air defence systems capable of shooting down Russia's hypersonic missiles – but is keen to get any help it can.

So far only Germany has answered Kyiv's call by saying it would send an extra Patriot system to Ukraine.

Several EU nations possess the systems, including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that he expected more NATO countries to make announcements on additional air defence gear for Kyiv "soon".

But after the EU meeting, ministers said there were still no clear new commitments.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said however there was a "common and clear understanding" among the member states on the urgency of the situation.

"It's up to them to take the decisions," he said. 

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said after the meeting he wished the EU "could proceed more quickly". 

He said Poland, as a front-line state neighbouring both Russia and Ukraine, could not spare either of the two Patriot systems it had. 

"The ones in western Europe, we feel could be more usefully deployed in Ukraine," he said.

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said: "We are exploring every avenue."

Ukraine's renewed appeal for help came after US lawmakers eased pressure on Europe by unblocking a major aid package. 

Camera Reprezentanților SUA a aplaudat sâmbătă Ucraina și aliații săi aprobând un pachet de 61 de miliarde de dolari pentru Kiev, după șase luni de certuri politice.

În timpul impasului privind ajutorul SUA, Europa s-a străduit să găsească armamentul necesar pentru a menține Kievul în luptă, în timp ce forțele ucrainene erau împinse înapoi de-a lungul liniei frontului. 

Acum, că SUA par gata să ofere rezultate, miniștrii europeni și Kievul au insistat. nu a fost momentul ca UE să-și ușureze sprijinul pentru Ucraina. 

_ EU disappoints Ukraine by failing to agree on air defence deliveries

(Fluierul)