Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba made statements about the Russia-Ukraine War in an interview with Canada’s state radio and television broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Noting that there have been no diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine recently, Kuleba stated that the situation in Mariupol, Ukraine, could be a “red line” in the negotiations.
“THIS CITY IS NO LONGER DONE”
“The situation in Mariupol is both horrendous and heartbreaking militarily,” Kuleba said. This city is gone. The rest of the Ukrainian army and a large group of civilians are basically surrounded by Russian forces. “They continue to fight, but the behavior of the Russian army in Mariupol shows that they have decided to raze the city at all costs,” he said.
“MARIUPOL MAY HAVE A RED LINE”
Stating that there has been no diplomatic meeting between Russia and Ukraine at the level of foreign ministers, Kuleba said, “We have not had any contact with Russian diplomats at the level of foreign ministers in recent weeks. The only contact level is the negotiation team, which consists of representatives of various institutions and members of parliament. They continue their consultations at the expert level, but at the top level. “The level talks are not taking place. It has become difficult to continue talking to the Russians, especially after Bucha. As our President stated, Mariupol may be a red line,” he said.
“WE EXPECT INTENSE CONFLICT IN EASTERN UKRAINE”
Saying that he expects conflicts in eastern Ukraine to intensify in the coming weeks, Kuleba said, “Intense clashes in the east of Ukraine, in the Donbass, we expect a large-scale attack by Russia against this region of the country. On the other hand, the attempt of the Russian forces to finish Mariupol at any cost. “These are my predictions. Of course, it seems that missile attacks on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities will continue,” he said.
“HE WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIMES IT COMMITTED AGAINST UKRAINE”
About Ukrainian oligarch Victor Medvechuck, who turned out to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Kuleba said, “He was extremely close to President Putin. Vladimir Putin is said to be the godfather of one of Medvedchuk’s daughters. This fact itself means everything. reveals it,” he said. Kuleba said in a statement regarding the trial process of Medvedchuck, “He is a citizen of Ukraine, since we are a country with the rule of law, he will enjoy all procedural rights. The decision on him will be determined within the framework of the legal process on the one hand and the political process on the other. We do not exclude any political options. But we “We are a state of law. And above all, it will take responsibility for its crimes against Ukraine.”
Kuleba also pointed out that Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia is not interested in extraditing Medvedchuk.
“BIDEN, VISITING UKRAINE, SENDS SUPPORT MESSAGE”
Kuleba said that a visit by Biden to Ukraine would send a “message of support” to Ukraine regarding the prospects for US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ukraine. “From the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, President Biden has shown real leadership in providing assistance to Ukraine, mobilizing the international community to support Ukraine. So of course we would be happy to have him in our country and it is important to us,” Kuleba said. “It would be a message of support. Also, a personal meeting between the two ministers of state could open the way for discussions on the provision of new supplies and weapons to Ukraine and a possible political solution to this conflict,” he said.
But the White House said earlier this week that Biden has no plans to visit Ukraine. “We are not sending the President to Ukraine,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said last Friday. (UAV)