UKRAINE SEEKS PEACE SETTLEMENT AS RUSSIAN AGGRESSION ENTERS 630TH DAY
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By V.Sankara
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) — The 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the G20 Summit in November last year is deemed the only feasible plan as of now to end the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukrainian territory, which has entered its 630th day Thursday.
The Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, in providing the latest developments on the conflict, said that Ukraine views Russia’s aggression as a long-term war of attrition.
He emphasised that there is currently no room for negotiations with Russia to end the conflict, while highlighting that it is occurring entirely within Ukrainian territory.
“Ukrainians desire peace more than anything else, but Russia doesn’t want the war to end because of the goals declared by Russia – an ultimatum for Ukrainians to disappear.
“They (Russia) don’t recognise the existence of our people, not only the state, as well they entered constitutional amendments in annexing five regions of Ukraine including Crimea annexed in 2014 and four other regions thereafter (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia).
“The conflict has only intensified since then, leaving Ukrainians in a perpetual state of uncertainty,” Mykhailiuk told Bernama in an exclusive interview held at the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia, recently.
According to the 10-point peace plan, Zelensky calls for the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, complete ejection of Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners of war.
Mykhailiuk stressed that the Russian Federation, as the aggressor state, must be compelled by international efforts to cease hostilities. He added that security guarantees for Ukraine are a precondition for a peace settlement.
The full-scale invasion began on Feb 24, 2022, following an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014, and the Russian aggression was considered the biggest attack on a European country since World War II.
It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian and military casualties. By April 2023 millions of Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country, creating Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II.
The Ukrainian diplomat lamented the extensive damage caused by the war to Ukraine’s economy, with a staggering 30 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) loss this year alone, amounting to US$411 billion in direct material losses as of June this year. Essential infrastructure, such as hydroelectric plants, electrical grids, schools and hospitals has been destroyed, exacerbating the economic toll in the Eastern European country.
He mentioned that despite more than 20 months since the Ukraine-Russia conflict began, landmines have become one of the most daunting issues for the Ukrainian counteroffensive as the country is now the most heavily mined in the world.
“The sappers are clearing contaminated land in Ukraine. It is estimated to take more than 700 years to complete using traditional technology,” he added.
Despite the ongoing struggle, the diplomat said Ukraine remains steadfast, finding strength in the support of the international community to bring about just and lasting peace and stability in the country.
Mykhailiuk said that to date 141 countries, including Malaysia voted in favour of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, adding that over 50 countries have provided financial and military assistance.
Expressing gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on behalf of his nation, the diplomat acknowledged Anwar’s brave stance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September who called for a concerted multilateral effort, spearheaded by the United Nations, to bring a resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
”We condemn unequivocally the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conflict in Ukraine, for example, underscores the imperative to make peace and settle differences amicably through negotiations.
“Nevertheless, time is not on our side, and owing to the protracted failure to deal with this Russian- Ukraine crisis, I urge for a concerted multilateral effort led by the UN to resolve this,” Anwar was quoted as saying.
On humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians, Mykhailiuk emphasised the urgent need for aid specifically medicines, computers for remote schooling for children.
“We understand some countries do not want to give military aid. But there are non-military needs. With winter coming in Ukraine, we desperately need medical or personal hygiene items, warm clothing, sanitisers” he said, while expressing gratitude to the Malaysian government, particularly the Health Ministry, for contributing medical aid worth RM227,984 to Ukraine in February.
Additionally, Mykhailiuk formally requested the Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) to send a representative to its embassy in Kyiv as the city is well-protected from aerial attacks amid the conflict and reassured that it is a safe city.
Looking ahead, Mykhailiuk said there are plans for an exchange of high-level visits between Ukraine and Malaysia.
On trade relations between Ukraine and Malaysia, the diplomat said it has remained stable despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, adding that Ukraine remains main supplier of sunflower oil for the Malaysian market.
He said negotiations have been ongoing between both countries concerning high-tech aviation and space at the feasibility study level, while no formal agreement have been finalised yet.
Regarding talks that the current Israeli-Hamas conflict has taken over the limelight of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Mykhailiuk admitted it has to some extent distracted some attention from the Ukraine-Russia war.
However, he believed that every conflict has a peak of interest from the public, adding that he hoped both hostilities would come to an end soon, as innocent lives of civilians are the most affected.
— BERNAMA
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