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DEIn your opinion, how is Ukrainian civil society coping with the collective responsibility imposed on it by the Russian aggression? What manifestations of this responsibility have impressed you the most?
Since the restoration of our Independence, it is one of the first times we realised so profoundly that Ukraine will live only if there is someone to defend it. With weapons, at the cost of one’s own life, sacrificing the most precious things.
Generally, the enemy underestimated the Ukrainian society, which had undergone an even greater transformation than our government and army. And changes in society are the source and guarantee of stability of changes in state institutions. The government and the army rely on free people, and this bond in Ukraine is inseparable.
Wars are waged by nations, not by armies. The trial of Russian hybrid aggression in 2014 and large-scale invasion in February 2022 fell to our lot.
Volunteers from the Maidan became the first obstacle to Russia nine years ago. In February of this year, our men and women joined the Territorial Defence Forces, got involved in volunteering, provided accommodation for internally displaced persons. The whole nation stood as one to defend Ukraine.
This responsibility is manifested everywhere. Over this period, billions of hryvnias have already been transferred to the needs of the Armed Forces. People stand in lines to donate blood for wounded soldiers, host displaced people from war-torn cities for free and, as they say, share all they have with them…
What have foreign activists already done, what can they do and what should they do to help Ukraine win? What exactly can activists and volunteers do for Ukraine in such a strategic city as Brussels (from the standpoint of humanitarian aid, advocacy and rallies)?
First of all, I will talk about Brussels, which is the capital of NATO and the European Union. Important decisions are adopted there regarding military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine aimed at countering Russian aggression. Activists, volunteers and society react very sensitively to the tone set by European and Euro-Atlantic politicians.
In fact, in parallel with the help from governmental and non-governmental organisations, the Ukrainian people feel very strong support from foreign activists as well. A lion’s share of them is from the European continent and other partner countries to Ukraine. They gave shelter to millions of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. Thousands of people in various cities in Europe and other countries of the world come to rallies to support Ukraine and condemn Russian aggression. Of course, we are sincerely grateful to them for doing this!
Are these facts a sign of support for our country? I believe they are. But to my mind this movement should become even more massive. People in Ukraine die from the hands of the Russians every day. It is necessary to remind people all over the world about the war crimes of the Kremlin regime even more loudly, to rouse the masses and the public and, by doing so, put pressure on the Russians. Because we are protecting not only ourselves, but also the values of the world democracy from the rashist onslaught.
Ukrainian activists often ask: what will be considered victory? When can we say exactly that we have won? Will the return of all territories be such a victory? Or the collapse of the Kremlin? Or accession to NATO?
The matter of complete victory over the Russian aggressors is absolutely clear and unambiguous. The President of Ukraine has repeatedly emphasised: our country will be considered free when it restores its territorial integrity and sovereignty completely within internationally recognised borders as of 1991. I stress, as of 1991, not as of the morning of 24 February 2022.
When do you expect Ukraine to join NATO? What can activists do to help achieve this goal?
De facto we have already paved our way to the Alliance and proved compatibility with its standards. In fact, we are allies for a long time already.
By the way, even during my appointment as the Minister of Defence, I clearly identified accession to NATO as one of the main priorities. We discussed it with our foreign partners, presented our arguments in favor of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We were often told that this is impossible in the near future because Ukraine does not meet the specified criteria on the possession of the appropriate types of weapons.
When Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine broke out, our partners helped us by searching for any Soviet weapons: from ammo to weapon systems, Later, we managed to convince them that this was a bad story doctrinally: they were trying to help, as they believed, the “small Soviet army” fight against the “big Soviet army.” The small one always loses. But we are not the Soviet army, we have become different during these eight years of hybrid war. We are de facto ready to be a NATO army. Today, we already have a considerable number of foreign-made types of 155mm artillery, ATGMs, MANPADS, MLRS systems, anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles, modern UAVs, counter-battery systems and Western armoured vehicles. Our defences will be strengthened by modern air defence systems: NASAMS and IRIS-T. That is, the hurdles to Ukraine’s path toward NATO are being removed. And we clearly prove our partnership and interoperability with NATO on the battlefield, protecting not only our state but also the entire civilised world from Russian tyranny.
Should the Ukrainian civil society try to find a connection with the Russians (Russian oppositionists)?
First, the question whether there is a civil society and opposition there should be answered. Russian opposition often ends when the question “whom does Crimea belong to?” must be answered.
Some activists believe that there are no “nice Russians”. How do you feel about this narrative?
Russian propaganda uses this term for its own ends. They say that if there are people who publicly or silently do not support Russian aggression against Ukraine, then the regime in Russia is supposedly not so dictatorial. And then the insidious Russian authorities use this narrative to soften sanctions against the aggressor state and prevent it from being recognised as a terrorist state. They say: why should the whole country be held accountable if there are famous Russian citizens who respect democratic freedoms and are opinion leaders?
After “partial mobilisation” was announced in Russia, more than 700,000 Russians fled the country. Is it positive or negative for us? What should the EU do with the so-called “Russian refugees”? What does this “mobilisation” mean for the Russians themselves?
By the way, after partial mobilisation was announced in Russia, I publicly addressed the Russians. I deliberately warned them not to face certain death for the illusory goals of the Russian dictator, not to shed their blood for his fantasies and false goals, and not to kill Ukrainians, many of whom not that long ago treated Russians as good neighbours.
As for the fact that more than 700,000 Russians have fled the country, I believe they had better express their position against mobilisation in the squares of large cities. I know that there are people among them who earlier ardently supported the so-called “special military operations.” Whether to grant them asylum or not is up to the people and leadership of the countries to which they arrive.
How do you assess the risk of use of nuclear weapons? Is there an action plan for this case?
Of course, there is a risk that Russia may use nuclear weapons. Our partners from the USA and the UK are also talking about it. But I would not assess this risk as too high. The Russian leadership, represented by Putin, has been blackmailing the world with its nuclear baton for many years. But no one knows what the actual condition of this weapon is. Putin and his generals probably do not know it, too. Moreover, Russia’s nuclear potential ended in 1997, and the last time they conducted nuclear weapons tests was in the late 1990s. One should not be afraid of Putin and constantly give in to his threats. In addition, clear and tough signals about the devastating consequences for Russia in the event of the use of its nuclear potential are constantly coming from the White House, in particular from U.S. President Joe Biden.
Are the Armed Forces of Ukraine ready for winter? Does Ukrainian light industry have enough capacity to provide winter uniforms and equipment? Should foreign volunteers focus on this issue, or it is better to concentrate on something else?
Yes. Traditionally, the transition to winter uniform is done on 15 October. However, we started preparing the transition to winter clothes in advance back in summer. The first contracts were signed in June. We concluded agreements, kept adding volume, and in the end ensured steady supplies. Today. I can state that the primary needs of our defenders directly at the front lines, have been met. Next are the near front-line zones, areas distant from the frontline and the formation of reserves. Deliveries are made every day. The command identified the provision of the front as the number one priority. The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine distributes everything that arrives to the army logistics warehouses according to priorities and ensures deliveries directly to the units. If someone at the front lines does not have a uniform now, there may be various reasons for that. The rhythm of the war makes its adjustments. After all, the key issue now is logistics. The logistics forces are doing really well and working wonders. It is not possible to predictably pack purchased goods into a warehouse and safely deliver them to the brigades. Threats of strikes have not gone anywhere, so most of the work is done “from the wheels” to reduce the risk of losses. You cannot simply form convoys of trucks; you have to divide and hide them. Yes, there may be delays due to logistics. However, it is usually a matter of a few days.
When will we liberate our territories?
I do not presume to predict the date of the end of the war. But I have already said how it will end: with our victory and the restoration of our borders as of 1991.
When our border guards stand along our borders, when the air carriers resume their operation because there is no longer any danger, then the war will be over.
As you can see, we have a very positive trend in this direction. As a result of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region alone, which began more than a month ago, we have liberated about 8,500 square kilometers of our territory. Today, we see progress in the South and the East. So, I repeat again: this war will end with the victory of Ukraine and the collapse of the empire.
