Ukrainian Ambassador to Belgium: “Ukraine is not negotiating its territorial integrity” – International
Ukraine is ready to resolve the conflict with Russia through diplomatic means, but stands ready to respond quickly in the event of Russian aggression, Ukrainian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Yehor Pyvovarov told the committee on Tuesday. of the House’s External Relations. He warned that his country was not negotiating its territorial integrity.
“We are on the verge of a serious conflict. Russia’s intentions will only become clear in the coming weeks,” Pyvovarov said. “There is a lack of logic in Russian President Vladimir Putin. So we don’t know what to expect. Aggression is still possible if the Russians do not retreat to the area.”
Yehor Pyvovarov stressed that his country is ready to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, “because we have already had many victims”. According to the ambassador, 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died and 100,000 people have been forced to move since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The ambassador was very critical of Vladimir Putin. “His goal is to change the world order,” he said. “Our societies are very different. Ukrainians would never agree to live under a dictatorship for 20 years.”
In the meantime, diplomatic consultations are taking place at the highest level. Yehor Pyvovarov fears that these conversations will yield few results, although he stresses the importance of continuing them. Later in the afternoon, the Russian ambassador Alexander Tokovinin must in turn be heard. Next week, a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians will visit Belgium within the framework of interparliamentary cooperation. Russian MPs will also come to Belgium and be heard.
“We are on the verge of a serious conflict. Russia’s intentions will only become clear in the coming weeks,” Pyvovarov said. “There is a lack of logic in Russian President Vladimir Putin. So we don’t know what to expect. Aggression is still possible if the Russians don’t withdraw to the region.” Yehor Pyvovarov stressed that his country is ready to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, “because we have already had many victims”. According to the ambassador, 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died and 100,000 people have been forced to move since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The ambassador was very critical of Vladimir Putin. “His goal is to change the world order,” he said. “Our societies are very different. Ukrainians would never agree to live under a dictatorship for 20 years.” In the meantime, diplomatic consultations are taking place at the highest level. Yehor Pyvovarov fears that these conversations will yield few results, although he stresses the importance of continuing them. Later in the afternoon, the Russian ambassador Alexander Tokovinin must in turn be heard. Next week, a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians will visit Belgium within the framework of interparliamentary cooperation. Russian MPs will also come to Belgium and be heard.