Russia must stop behaving like the Soviet Union / Article

Lately again increased tension at the Russian-Ukrainian border, where Russia has drawn up to 100,000 troops. Moscow also continues to make various claims against Ukraine and the West, such as demanding a veto so that Ukraine can never become a member of NATO. Western politicians have stressed that they do not intend to succumb to the Kremlin’s blackmail.

Russia held talks with US, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in several European cities this week to try to prevent a possible conflict. However, no significant results in these negotiations failed to reach.

LTV: Are there any tangible results from these meetings that Ukraine expected? How would you summarize this week’s diplomatic efforts?

Oleksandr MishchenkoA: It is probably too early to draw any conclusions from the outcome of these meetings. However, the positive result for Ukraine is that we are seeing the unity of all the institutions – the European Union, the United States, NATO and the OSCE. That all Russian ultimatums are unacceptable to the international community.

Only Ukraine and NATO will decide on Ukraine’s membership in NATO.

The main result for us is that the collective West has shown a complete willingness to reject any ultimatum language. It is very important. Russia must stop behaving like the Soviet Union

How do you expect the situation to develop further?

This is difficult to predict. The situation at Ukraine’s borders has not changed. Russian soldiers are still there. Russia’s weapons are still there. Moreover, Russia has strengthened its units at the Ukrainian border with combat helicopters and other equipment. We are following this very closely and we cannot say that anything has changed. But we hope that Russia will reflect on all the discussions that took place in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna and draw conclusions. But we’ll see.

Russia continues to concentrate military forces on Ukraine’s borders. Also news of a major cyber attack on Ukrainian government websites. Who do you think is behind these attacks?

There is evidence that this is a Russian cyber attack. But the situation has been the same before. They are trying to undermine the unity of Ukraine, they are trying to create artificial sabotage in Ukraine, they are trying to organize an artificial movement against the government in Ukraine, using some businessmen, politicians and the media who have close ties with Russia. We know this and believe that they will continue to do so.

Do you think this cyber attack is in any way related to this week’s talks?

Probably.

If another war really breaks out, another Russian invasion of Ukraine, is Ukraine ready to defend itself?

We are already defending ourselves, because we understand that this is our territorial unity, that is our sovereignty. But the war will not start now, it has been going on for more than eight years.

That is why we are preparing our troops to prevent new Russian attacks on Ukraine.

How ready is the Ukrainian army?

If we compare the Ukrainian army as it was seven years ago, and now, it is a completely different picture. We now have a very motivated and trained army. An army that is ready to stand up to all forms of aggression. We will protect our country and there are likely to be a large number of victims. We understand that. We understand that Ukrainian soldiers will die for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. But here I would like to ask the Russian society, the mothers of Russian soldiers: why should their sons, Russian soldiers, die in Ukraine? About what? This is the main question I want to ask Russian society.

How many troops do Ukraine currently have, what is the situation?

We have a total of 200 thousand soldiers in the Ukrainian armed forces. We also have 300,000 reservists who can be drafted into the army if necessary.

As for support for Ukraine, it has been provided by Western countries, NATO, and Latvia. What help would we need the most?

It is about political, military and technical support.

Political support means NATO’s decision to discuss Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance only with Ukraine. It is very important.

It is supported by the United States, it is supported by the OSCE, it is supported by the European Union. Thanks to the collective West, we have political support.

At the bilateral level, we ask our partners to support us, to improve our equipment and capabilities to prevent a Russian attack. I can say that we are grateful to the Latvian Government for its clear and principled support for us and are currently considering offering Ukraine military equipment and weapons. The Latvian government has decided to support Ukraine with weapons – this is very important. All Baltic states have confirmed their readiness to support the Ukrainian army. But I hope that other NATO countries will also take steps in this direction.

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