Tazeen Akhtar
Minister Foreign Affairs Ukraine Mr. Dmitro Kuleba shakes the conscience of the World on continued aggression and invasion of Russia against his country and questioned how you can be neutral when our innocent civilians, elderly, women and children are being killed by Russian military? It is shameful to remain neutral when a country is committing war crimes against its neighbor.
The Foreign Minister was sharing the situation in Ukraine after Russian invasion in a format of afternoon tea via Zoom online. Selected journalists from Pakistan, India, China and Indonesia participated in the meeting.
Mr. Kuleba shed light on the latest state of the country in terms of challenges his country is facing after more than 6 months long war that does not seem to come to end in near future.
He said” Russia invaded Ukraine without any provocation. We are ready for diplomatic solution of war but Russia is threatening and giving ultimatums only. We do not want single inch of Russian territories. Ukraine will for sure take back our territories from Russian occupation. We are sovereign nation as Russia is. Both are equal. ( He meant dialogue can be on equal basis only )”
This scribe asked ” Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was at Kremlin with President Putin when Russian invaded Ukraine on 24th Feb 2022. His government was toppled later by no trust move in the parliament. Present government of Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that there is no dialogue with Russia on cheap oil and wheat. As long As the war is concerned, neutral policy has been adopted by the government of Pakistan on war between Russia and Ukraine. What is your take on this position and what is the present status of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Pakistan?
Mr. Kuleba replied, ” There is big potential of cooperation between Ukraine and Pakistan. Ukraine is keen to enhance relations with Pakistan. At the same time, Ukraine expects more solidarity from Pakistan. As long as shaking hands or not shaking hands is concerned , it depends upon the leaders who are sovereign to decide that. But generally speaking, it is shameful if any leader has sympathy or understanding with the invader and aggressor.”
“Russian propaganda that Ukraine is part of Russia is influencing some countries. We ask these countries how they will feel if we say that they are part of any other country.” Foreign Minister continued.
Mr. Kuleba replying to a question from an Indian journalist said, ” India and Ukraine are democracies but Russia is dictatorship. Ukraine India have common value of democracy. Regarding India import of cheap Russian petroleum, every barrel of oil that India purchases from Russia carries the blood of our innocent people killed by Russian Military.”
To another question, FM Ukraine further questioned, ” How can you be neutral when women, children and elderly are massacred by the invader? This is hypocrisy.”
He emphasized on Asian countries not to be afraid of Russia and advised not to buy Russian weapons.
” Asian countries supported Ukraine at UNO and sent humanitarian assistance. We are thankful for their solidarity. But matter of fact is mostly the Asian nations are the buyers of Russian weapons that solidifies Russian economy and Russia is empowered financially to invade the neighbors. Many Asian countries are victims of Russian invasions. Russian weapons were used against them. Some of them are friends of Russia, some are neutral and many are afraid of Russia.”
Mr. Kuleba hit the myth of Russian Strength and Standard of Russian Weapons as well.
” You need not be afraid of Russia. You are loser when you fear. Look at Ukraine. We are fighting Russians for last six months and we are still alive. Asian countries buy Russian weapons that are sub standard. Ukraine has destroyed thousands of Russian weapons in ongoing war so far.”
He said,” Ukraine has 2 thousand kilometers border with Russia and fighting is on half of the border. We need more and more solidarity. Above all we need weapons and weapons again. We are not using weapons of major destruction. We have caused huge damages to Russian military so far. We are determined to liberate our occupied territories including Crimean.”
A Chinese journalist asked about any information of President Xi’s mediatory efforts, The foreign minister replied, ” We have no such signal so far from China that President Xi is to contact our President or any mediation like thing. But we are ready for talks for the security of the World. Chinese mediation would be helpful for peace in the region and in the World.”
