04.01.2022

Ukraine’s Top Diplomat Hopes For Continued Western Support

Another week of war in Ukraine, and still no end in sight. Will there be a shift Russia’s strategy? Talks between the two countries’ delegations resumed virtually today. Ukraine’s foreign minister, who is currently on a diplomatic mission in Poland, joins the program to discuss the state of negotiations.

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CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Are you convinced that the public opinion and, therefore, the allies’ stance, will remain solid, no matter how long this goes on for?

DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Well, first of all, I want to be straight on one issue.Whatever happens at the table of negotiations, more sanctions have to be imposed against Russia and more weapons have to be supplied to Ukraine, because these are the real arguments in talks. The stronger Ukraine is, the more painful the pressure on Russia is, the stronger our position in talks is, and, therefore, the better are the chances to get a good agreement, an agreement that would respect Ukraine. And this is — this must be absolutely clear. No one should be using an argument that, since people are talking, sitting at a table and talking to each other, let’s put sanctions on hold or let’s not supply certain weapons to Ukraine. This is a war, again, I would like to remind it. And I think it makes sense for our friends and partners to continue supporting us. When it comes to the public perception of the war, of course, we live in the real world. And I understand that many other events may be taking place in the coming weeks that will distract the attention, but — of the world public opinion. But this Russian aggression against Ukraine is a threat to entire world — global security. So, we are not getting tired of fighting for freedom, for independence and for values. So I hope that people in the West will not get tired of supporting us as well. The only fatigue that I have observed so far is the sanctions fatigue in some European capitals, who try to not — not to avoid imposing the tough — the additional tough sanctions on Russia. But we are working with them. And I hope — I believe we will overcome that. We will help them to overcome that fatigue.

AMANPOUR: Do you — can you tell me which countries you’re specifically talking about?

KULEBA: I’m very honest with you, but, at this point, I will remain a diplomat.

About This Episode EXPAND

Virtual talks between Russia and Ukraine’s delegations resumed today. Ukraine’s foreign minister discusses the state of negotiations. Baerbock discusses how committed EU nations are to maintaining sanctions — and holding the line againt Putin’s aggression. Anne Applebaum’s latest article argues that unless democracies defend themselves together, the forces of autocracy will destroy them.

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