In Europe, blue-yellow paint is in short supply. Europeans ask themselves in desperation: “If it ends, how can we support Ukraine?

My daughter told me this cruel joke. As a proud Ukrainian, I was deeply moved by the many displays of solidarity with my country and its people.. Refugees are welcomed with warmth and hospitality. People from all over the world send all kinds of donations. Europe and the United States have taken real steps, until recently unthinkable, to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's unprovoked and barbaric invasion.. Political leaders have made it clear they will step up pressure and consider further action. I even hear that Western capitals can send planes to Ukraine.

We are grateful for all of this.. But while you are discussing and developing sympathy, Ukraine is being destroyed. Russian planes drop bombs on our children and fire missiles at hospitals, schools and factories. Where they encounter resistance from Ukrainian fighters, their savagery doubles, and they destroy city blocks - killing people in them..

While the West worries about violating the rules of war and taking care not to escalate the conflict, Russia does not comply with such restrictions, using mass deception, false flag attacks, banned weapons, mercenaries and terrorists.. Since Russia has failed to bomb Ukraine to obedience, it is trying to wage war in increasingly brutal and crude ways..

We thank you for food, money, condolences and painted blue and yellow flags. But if you want to save us, Ukraine needs planes, anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles, armed drones and other military weapons.. So I beg our friends in the West: give us weapons. Stop buying coal and oil from Russia. Don't think about it; do not evaluate options; don't consider. Just do. Time is life. I ask the European Union to make Ukraine a candidate for membership. Independent Ukraine belongs to the EU.

I know that these actions involve risk. But in a deadly fight, you can't help without risking. And there are still greater risks of inaction. What happens if you let Russia tear apart the international system, destroy a sovereign nation, commit mass murder?

The only way to stop an aggressor is by force.. We must combine brutality with speed, determination and certainty.. We cannot continue to worry that the aggressor will escalate the situation.. We have to make him worry that we might escalate as well..

Ukraine will never be defeated. But many Ukrainians will die; their families will be destroyed; their cities will fall into ruins. These are ordinary, peace-loving people who never thought of attacking anyone, wanting only peace and tranquility and striving to be a modern European country..

When in February 1941. Hitler's forces were closing in on Britain, Churchill told Franklin D. Roosevelt: " This is what Ukrainians are asking for today: tools to defeat a brutal tyrant who attacked a peaceful, free democracy because it is a free democracy..

At this moment of crisis, Ukrainians do not say SOS, save our souls. The lives of Ukrainians are in danger, but our souls are safe. We say to you: save your souls.

Column published in The Wall Street Journal.