The 24th February 2022 marks three years since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
In the second edition of the Ukraine War Series, I sit down with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Arab of Emirates and Bahrain: Dmytro Senik. In Part 1 of a wide ranging interview, we discuss the mood in Ukraine amidst ongoing peace negotiations and Russia’s ongoing drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Background: Russia’s Aggression Since 2014
Three years ago, Russia launched it’s invasion of eastern Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson provinces.
This followed Russia’s de facto annexation of Crimea back in 2014.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, cities flattened, yet Ukranians carry on the fight.
Three Years Later: The Mood in Ukraine
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: This is Anderson here with His Excellency Dmytro Senik, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UAE and Bahrain. It is wonderful to have you back with me again in the studio, Your Excellency.
Today we mark the third year commemoration of the Ukraine war that started on the 24th of February 2022. Before that, however, we obviously saw Russia launch it’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Since 2022, there are numerous reports detailing the loss of over 46, 000 Ukranian soldiers on the battlefield, not to mention those Ukrainian citizens unaccounted for, as well those prisoners of war still held in Russian-occupied territory.
Right now we see the war shift to a new stage; negotiations are ongoing, both in Riyadh, and your President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is on his way to Washington.
Question: What are Ukranians’ perceptions on the war and what is the mood in Ukraine right now?
H.E. Dmytro Senik: Thanks for having me back, it is great to be here.
Yes we marked a very sombre of the first three years on the the 24th of February, yet the war started much earlier in 2014.
This started with the occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern provinces in the Donbas. Unfortunately back then, the world has not reacted in a proper way to punish the aggressor.
This prompted the Russian Federation to carry on its aggression as its appetite comes with meals as they say.
Ukraine & Europe’s Attempts for Peace (2014-2022)
Russia has decided that it has free hands to continue its occupation which led to the full scale invasion in 2022.
In between 2014 and 2022, Ukraine attempted to negotiate peacefully via diplomatic means: a peaceful solution. This included diplomatic solutions including the Minsk Agreements, later followed by the Istanbul talks in 2022.
However, the Russian authorities had in mind the full occupation of entire Ukraine, to eradicate the Ukranian nation, and colonise Ukraine. This prompted a horrific tragedy of Europe in the twenty-first century.
The sufferings are unimaginable. We have lost a lot of people; a lot of civillians and military personnel defending Ukraine.
Ukraine Represents Europe’s Security
Although I must emphasise that Ukranian defenders, whilst defending Ukraine in their own soul and homes, they also defend the European continent.
Because we already understand that Russia will not stop at Ukraine only. Russia wants to restore some form of neocolonial regime of the twentieth century. The USSR wants to blackmail Europe's peace and stability.
Every life sacrificed by a Ukranian soldier is also a contribution to peace in Europe.
Global Implications: UN & International Law
On global terms, we are also fighting for our global constitution: the United Nations Charter. We are all parties to the Charter and we all rely on the Charter.
If the UN Charter, if the international law crumbles; this will lead to devastating ramifications with international security deteriorating.
Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 will be available early next week.
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Talking Diplomacy at a Time of War
Ukraine Looks to the GCC At a Time of Crisis
Peacekeepers Line Up: Britain First in Line with Ukraine
