In this week’s #Forum2000online Chat, Svitlana Zalishchuk, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine on European Integration and Advisor to the CEO of Naftogaz Group, joined Martin Ehl, a journalist and Chief Analyst at Hospodářské noviny (ihned.cz), to talk about the ongoing crisis resulting from Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This war of aggression launched by the Kremlin represents much more than an attack against an independent nation like Ukraine. It is a blow to Europe and to the entire global liberal order. In the interview, Ms. Zalishchuk recounts the current situation and then explains what measures have been taken by Europe and the world and what other actions are expected. Svitlana Zalishchuk states that the counteraction to the Russian aggression must be effective enough to stop the war and that it is necessary to "mobilize all our forces to make it painful for people around Putin”. Svitlana Zalishchuk says that "Putin was very clear in his messages, in his statements, that he directs this war, that he directs this massacre in Ukraine”.
In this interview, you will learn that:
- In addition to war casualties, both civilian and military, and refugees, attacks on civilian infrastructure such as maternity hospitals, schools, administrative buildings and houses have intensified. The situation on the ground is a humanitarian disaster.
- This war of aggression is a blow to Europe and to the entire global liberal order.
- Sanctions must be strong, but sanctions against Putin and his circle may not make the difference. His power must also be challenged from within by society.
- Among the things that explain the strength of the Ukrainian resistance, it can be said that President Zelensky has been a great source of inspiration for the population and that the Ukrainians are willing to defend their country.
- The Russian language is not decisive in loyalties or in a hypothetical division of Ukraine. More important is the desire of the people to live in a democracy and not in a dictatorial regime.
- Under the current circumstances, it would be very difficult to impose a "puppet regime". It would not be accepted by the population.
The interview was recorded on March 3, 2022, and moderated by Martin Ehl, a journalist and Chief Analyst at Hospodářské noviny (ihned.cz).
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