Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced a large-scale diplomatic offensive to provide air defense (AVO) and impose new punitive measures against Russia. Kiev has received assurances from international partners that the critical need for Patriot interceptor missiles for the upcoming winter period has been heard and understood. The diplomats' efforts are aimed at completely blocking the Russian military-industrial complex (MIC) after the barbaric Russian attack on a shopping mall in the city of Krivoy Rog.
New military aid package on August 24
On the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day – August 24, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced the arrival of high-ranking foreign guests in the capital and the official announcement of new bilateral packages of military and logistical assistance.
"We expect additional bilateral aid packages. In addition to the material aspect, it is extremely important for us to show the world our unity with our real friends and allies" – Sibiga told journalists, quoted by Ukrainian media „European Truth“ (eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/08/21/7243956/).
The meeting in Kiev is also expected to be attended by the President of the European Council, António Costa, as part of the so-called „coalition of the willing“. The main focus of the talks will be strengthening the Ukrainian skies against the Kremlin's ballistic terror.
The battle for 300 Patriot missiles for the winter
According to the calculations of the Ukrainian military command, the country needs at least 300 interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems in order to secure its energy grid and the civilian population during the winter season.
The Foreign Minister admitted that negotiations with the countries that have these weapons in reserve are going extremely difficult.
"We are literally gnawing and fighting for every single element, for every missile. But we are moving forward and our partners are hearing us" – Sibiga explained. A few days ago, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that allocating just 5% of the current US stockpile of Patriot missiles would be enough for Ukraine to winter peacefully. Diplomatic sources, however, recall that US President Donald Trump previously expressed reservations about sending hundreds of additional interceptors due to the complicated situation and Washington's commitments in the Middle East.
"Anti-ballistic sanctions" after the strike in Krivoy Rog
Ukraine has initiated before the European Union the introduction of the so-called “special anti-ballistic package of sanctions“. The topic was discussed in detail in an urgent conversation between Andriy Sibiga and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaia Kallas.
The reason for the tough stance was the subsequent massive missile attacks, including the double Russian strike on a mall in the city of Kryvyi Rih, which killed at least 16 people and injured over 100. Moscow deliberately fired a second missile after rescue teams had already arrived at the scene, the agency reported. data-processed="true" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" jsaction="" jscontroller="tP2kf#s32ZS" jsuid="FLDQ3d_1v">UNIAN (unian.net/war/ataka-rf-na-torgovyy-centr-v-krivom-roge-sibiga-vystupil-za-uzhestochenie-sankciy-protiv-rf-novosti-dnepra-13477056.html).
Kiev is demanding immediate tightening of restrictions against the Russian military-industrial complex and a complete disruption of supply chains for Western components. The goal is to deprive the Kremlin of the financial and technological ability to produce means of terror.
"Sanctions and interceptors are the two tools that save lives. We need both without any delay" – the head of Ukrainian diplomacy was categorical before „Ukrainian Pravda“ (pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/08/22/8049772/).