Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Vydoinyk noted a huge change in the understanding by Western partners of the true intentions of Russia and the threat it poses to Europe and the whole civilized world.

He noted that while many politicians and experts in the West almost until the last moment did not believe that there would be a war, the Ukrainians have known it since Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, because they understood that the main goal of the Russian aggressor was to have Ukraine under its power and influence.

“So, of course, we did not waste time, but prepared for a full-scale invasion. Perhaps we have not done all we could during these eight years. But on the other hand, the result, you can see now. It is already six months since the start of the war, and Ukraine is able to withstand the second largest army in the world. And we do it with great success,” the Ukrainian ambassador said.

The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission outlined the ultimate goal of the war against the Russian occupier – a return to the borders recognized by the international community in 1991. “We do not trade with the territories. So that is our goal. We will see how we do it... But at this stage, when we see brutal killings and rapes and shootings of civilians, no one is ready for any kind of negotiations. As long as a single centimeter of Ukrainian territory is occupied by Russia”, Mykhailo Vydoinyk stressed.

The Ukrainian Ambassador noted that the civilized world understands very well what the consequences and results of this war could be, when it comes not only to the fate of Ukraine, but also to the future of the whole world. He thanked for the assistance provided by Western partners to Ukrainians, and also called for the discussion of Ukraine recovery projects right now.

“I see a very prosperous future for Ukraine. The President’s dream is to turn Ukraine into a new European tiger. So, it will grow very fast. It will create a lot of investment opportunities for European countries, including Denmark. And we will definitely rely on your help because we lack resources”, Mykhailo Vydoinyk stressed.

The full text of the interview is available on the Altinget.dk.

Photo Credit: Emil Helms & Ida Marie Odgaard, Ritzau Scanpix