2023-07-15 07:51:58
by Lorenzo Cremonesi
Zelensky’s adviser: «No negotiations on our territories. At the Vilnius summit we expected more diplomatic, legal and communication determination»
FROM OUR REPORTER
KIEV — «The Kremlin’s propaganda could do nothing other than present the NATO summit in Vilnius as a failure for Ukraine. Were we expecting something different?”, Mykhailo Podolyak hotly replies to our question on how he judges Moscow’s comments. President Zelensky’s best-known political adviser analyzes the state of relations between his country and NATO.
The war news, live
How do you read the Russian reaction?
“Try three items. First: in the Kremlin they were watching the summit very closely, fearing its choices. Second: they are afraid of NATO. They are frightened by the prospect of Ukraine in NATO, because it will demolish the fundamental myths of Russia as they understand it in order to control the population. Thirdly: they are satisfied that the central issue of Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance has not yet been achieved.’
And what does she think?
«It seems to me that it was done in a foregone, rational and pragmatic way. As long as we are at war we will get the aid we need to fight. After the war, the legal specifications will come. Although there has not been a clear invitation from Vilnius for our legal membership of the Alliance, we have nonetheless recorded guaranteed long-term military support. Supplies will be prioritized according to our needs, along with increasing the range of armaments and speeding up deliveries by each allied nation. In parallel, we are reforming our armed forces, we train them on NATO parameters, we share intelligence».
The key point?
«It is not entirely realistic to hope to join NATO while the shooting is still going on. But then our adhesion to the Atlantic front will not be a bargaining chip with Russia».
Zelensky appeared offended on the first day of the summit. Then he softened the tone and thanked the allies for the final statement. How do you interpret it?
«We are experiencing a very delicate period of Ukrainian politics in the context of the transformation of the global security system. The emotional nature of Ukrainian reactions expresses our national tragedy to our partners. With rational explanations and conveying the emotion of our drama we can break down the residues of fatal pro-Russian sympathies that still dwell in some sectors of the Western elites. We are grateful to partners. However, we expected a little more diplomatic, legal and information policy determination to clearly state that Russia has no power to influence the global choices of the Alliance. It must be said openly that Russia will lose this war. There can be no doubts, otherwise it would be the defeat of international law. Unfortunately, we note that to a certain extent bureaucratic quibbles and a lack of will to assume fundamental responsibilities have still given way”.
Can you be more precise?
«In the midst of the war, Ukraine continues to work to meet NATO requirements. The rest depends on the allies: we wait, but this wait is paid for with the blood of our military and civilians”.
Will you really join NATO and when?
“Obviously, it is part of the historical process: it will represent the absolutely just end point of an absolutely unjust war. It will take place immediately after the end of hostilities. And it will be the symbol of the transformation of the global security system».
What about Putin’s atomic threats?
“Completely unrealistic, they are primitive repetitions of old Moscow propaganda. Putin will continue to threaten until we are finally in NATO. Is Russia losing to Ukraine and how does it plan to fight NATO? We shouldn’t be afraid of Russia. Moscow could soon be overwhelmed by a great internal civil war, those who considered the Russian army as the second largest army in the world must admit they were wrong. After the war it will be necessary to review the control of nuclear weapons, a terrorist state like the Russian Federation cannot maintain such a great atomic power».
Your counteroffensive appears to be in trouble.
“I am optimistic. Our operations are moving forward in all directions with a gradual accumulation of effective actions. Russian logistics and reserves are destroyed. We will need more shells and air defense systems, long-range missiles and aircraft to destroy enemies in the occupied territories.”
What do you reply to those who believe that your entry into NATO could make you more open to a territorial compromise for peace?
“Absolutely out of the question. Even offensive to hear such statements. This would only feed Russia’s expansionary appetites. The Ukrainian territories will not be the subject of bargaining.”
July 15, 2023 (change July 15, 2023 | 08:23)
© Time.News
#Ukraines #entry #NATO #guarantee #Putins #atomic #bomb #time.news