Strengthening Ukraine's defense capability by providing lethal weapons should be an effective response to the growing security threat from Russia, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

"We are confident that enhancing political support with practical assistance in strengthening Ukraine's defense capability through the provision of lethal weapons should be an effective response to the growing security threat from the Russian Federation. This will show the full devotion of the signatory states of the Budapest Memorandum to their commitments and will strengthen the European security architecture, an integral element of which is the Memorandum," the ministry said in a statement on December 5 on the occasion of the anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The ministry said that Ukraine continues to view the Budapest Memorandum as an important international political and legal instrument for ensuring Ukraine's security by the United States, Britain, as well as France and China, and demands that Russia fully comply with its obligations.