by Lorenzo Cremonesi, our correspondent in Kyiv
The head of the Ukrainian diplomacy speaks: «Help us to shorten the conflict. Unresolved negotiation knots, with the system of guarantees no risk for Rome”
What do you think of the possibility that the Pope will come to Kyiv and clearly condemn the attack on Ukraine from Malta?
“As a Christian, I firmly believe that God would greatly appreciate the Pope’s visit to Kyiv and that we would welcome him with open arms.” Replies Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, 40, who, right at the beginning of our long interview, recalls with affection the Ventre family from Atripalda, in the Avellino area, who welcomed him when he was a little boy after the nuclear power plant disaster in 1986 “with love, as if they were my parents as part of the “Children of Chernobyl aid programme.
What would you ask the Pope?
“To pray for us and to exert his influence in Russian circles to try to end this absurd and violent war that goes against God’s will. Here many Christians are dying, even many Catholics, who are fighting on our side and he could certainly bring them consolation ».
Do you have details about the visit?
“We had it prepared well before the outbreak of war on February 24th. And now it becomes even more important. Our Embassy to the Holy See worked to prepare the visit of the Vatican Secretary of State as a preparatory event. But we still have no data or definitive confirmations that this will happen ».
Do you expect this to lead to contacts with the Russian Orthodox Church?
“No. The Patriarchate of Moscow immediately sided with Putin and the aggression, they allied themselves with a leader who today is absolutely godless. The suffering, the damage, the crimes of the war are even blasphemous.”
At what point is the peace process?
“We talk to each other all the time, we look for solutions. But all the core issues remain unresolved and, moreover, the old rule of diplomacy applies here, according to which nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. Moreover, regardless of the diplomatic route, the Russian army continues to attack on the ground: it fires rockets at our cities, its soldiers commit crimes against humanity. Even if we record small successes in the talks, the military aggression is bloodier and more destructive than ever ».
In Italy, the government’s decision to send aid and weapons is being discussed.
«I would like to say that those who refuse to send weapons to Ukraine actually support the continuation of the war. The sooner we can expel the Russians and the sooner the war will be over. We appreciate Mario Draghi and my colleague Luigi Di Maio: they have been on the right side of history since the first day of the war. We look to Italy for the weapons necessary to defend ourselves and we are pleased that it has taken on the role of leading country in the effort to bring us to Europe as a full member. Finally, their decision to guarantee our security in any arrangement that might result from the peace process is a sign of great friendship and seriousness.
Could you describe the guarantee in more detail?
“We talk about it fulltime. It is premature to reveal them to the press ».
How is it possible that Russia is among the guarantors?
“It is imperative that we get in touch with the Russians as they attacked us. We need to be sure they won’t invade us again in the future, and so they need to commit to the world with precise clauses, also enshrined in international law. It’s not easy, we don’t trust, but we can’t escape geography, Russia is on our borders ».
How to reassure those who fear a possible direct confrontation between Rome and Moscow?
“We know that in Italy there are forces close to Putin: I want to say that this is immoral, illegal and politically lost. Those who support Putin support war crimes. On the question of guarantees, however, I would like to reassure the Italians: ways can be found so that guarantees do not automatically imply your direct participation in the war ».
For example?
“Italy undertakes to send us the arms and ammunition necessary for our defense, but no soldiers or airmen to fight at our side, and this will in no way compromise Italian security, which is obviously at the heart of your government . We talk about it. It should be added that working for Ukrainian security means that Europe is also working for its security».
Can you explain: Ukraine does not admit to having carried out the raid on the Russian camp in Belgorod two days ago because it fears reprisals?
“I have seen the videos of the flash and they are very unclear, I have no elements to make any other comments.”
Are you afraid of an unconventional Russian attack?
“The European mistake has always been not to provoke Russia in order to avoid reactions. We listened to you and we still attacked you without provocation. The lesson is that Putin only understands the language of violence, he despises the cowardly Europe that remains on the defensive. Putin attacks when the enemy is weak or thinks he is weak. That is why we must remain strong and united. His mistake is that he underestimated Ukraine’s combat capability and also the European willingness to respond jointly with sanctions and arms deliveries. Now is not the time to show flexibility on the European side. And we Ukrainians have to win, we have no alternatives, if we give up, we will cease to exist».
How do you judge the Chinese attitude?
“China has remained cautiously neutral. We have no evidence of your support for Russia. His main interest is to stop the war that is damaging the world economy and we share it ».
What is your assessment of the military situation?
“We are in the middle of a war, the worst is yet to come. Ukraine won the battle for Kyiv, but the battle for Donbass and in the south is imminent and it will be terrible and devastating, as evidenced by the devastation of Mariupol, among others. We are ready, we will not give up and we hope for your support ».
April 3, 2022 (Modification April 3, 2022 | 07:05)
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