Ukrainian Foreign Minister to «Al-Sabah»: Iraq is able to find a balance between Kiev and Moscow
Iraq 04/19/2023[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Baghdad: Ahmad al-Musawi
The visit of the Ukrainian foreign minister to the capital, Baghdad, represented an attempt to revive the relationship between Baghdad and Kiev, as it ended an 11-year era since the last visit by a Ukrainian foreign minister to Baghdad in 2014, and in an exclusive interview with "Al-Sabah"Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed that his visit seeks to open the door for cooperation and communication for the rest of the ministers in the Ukrainian government with their counterparts in Iraq, and while the minister discussed the reality of the initiative launched by the League of Arab States to stop the war in Ukraine, he set Kiev criteria for accepting commitment to any initiative. The dialogue also touched on To the possibility of achieving a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, or not, and while the Ukrainian Foreign Minister revealed his country's full commitment to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly in this regard, Kuleba called for a review of the mechanisms and means of achieving international peace pursued by the Security Council, as well as the dialogue. To the relations of the two countries and urgent issues in the international arena.
Dialogue text:
● What role does Ukraine want from Iraq?
Iraq, as a country that has gone through devastating wars, is aware of what Ukraine is currently going through, and can turn its eyes away from the war, and this is exactly what the Iraqi government is doing, so how do you see political support from Baghdad, as we note that the Iraqi government is aware of the importance of the Ukrainian territorial integrity. We also believe that the Iraqi government is able to achieve a balance that secures a good relationship with both Ukraine and Russia, while supporting the exit of Russian forces from our lands.
What are the prospects for cooperation between Baghdad and Kiev?
A: Certainly there are many areas, as you know that my visit to the capital, Baghdad, came as a follow-up to the phone calls between the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, and the Ukrainian President, Vladimir Zelensky, and this visit took place to open the door for the rest of the ministers in the Ukrainian government, as well as Ukrainian companies, to re-establish Relations with their Iraqi counterparts, launching joint projects in the fields of trade, food security, as well as in the field of technology, education, and any other field in which we can cooperate. I am the first Ukrainian foreign minister to visit Iraq since 2012, eleven years is a long time. We need to revive the relationship between the two countries, and there are no obstacles to achieving this goal.
● The League of Arab States put forward a peace initiative in Ukraine. What is its fate?
A: I do not think it is effective, because while Ukraine wants peace, Russia wants war, and if you follow the situation on the military fronts in Ukraine, you will find that Russia is the aggressor. The Arabs are not making any progress, but they are trying, and we agree that the other side does not want peace, even if Peace was their goal, so why did they send more tanks and soldiers into battle?
Secondly, I believe that it is necessary for the League of Arab States to call things by their proper names, and to build its efforts on a clear understanding that Russia represents the aggressor side, and that it is the party that has violated the rules of international law, while Ukraine exercises its right to self-defence, and its right to regain all of its lands. To invite the two parties to do something is unfair, you can discuss it politically, because we are not the aggressor in this war, Russia is the one who represents the guilty side and this is clear, and any initiative that does not include that will be contrary to the truth and reality.
Nevertheless, it is good for the League of Arab States to continue its initiatives to end the war, and these are good endeavors, but they will only be effective if they include two main points. The first is to name each party by its name, as Russia bears the guilt of the war by choosing it, and the second is that Ukraine has the right to regain all of its lands. If the initiative is based on these two foundations, results can be reached.
● How many international initiatives are working to end this war?
The ten-point initiative announced by President Zelensky represents a road plan because it includes a series of steps that must be taken to end the war, while China's plan is a way to position itself and its interests in this war, and therefore there is a big difference between these two initiatives.
We hear from time to time leaders from Africa and Latin America, talking about their vision of how to establish security, but they do not come up with specific steps, so we believe that the best initiative is the one put forward by the United Nations General Assembly that was voted on February 23 during the current year, Which is very close to the road map put forward by President Zelensky, as it was voted for by 141 votes for countries from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and the countries of the world must meet to investigate what is written within that initiative, instead of creating new initiatives, we must all To stand united with the initiative undertaken by the United Nations General Assembly.
Why is Ukraine so interested in joining NATO?
In the year 2014, Ukraine was not asking to join NATO, we had a law stating that Ukraine is a country that does not join any of the military blocs and alliances, and it was the same year that Russia invaded Ukraine, and illegally occupied the Crimea peninsula, and part of it From our lands east of the country.
The lesson here is that when Ukraine had no intention of joining NATO, Russia invaded our lands. When Russia argues that they launched the current war because of our request to join the alliance, this is a lie. In 2014 we were not heading towards NATO, and that did not prevent Russia from waging war against Ukraine.
The reason that prompted us to request joining NATO is that this will prevent Russia from launching a new aggression, because in NATO, if an aggression takes place against one of its members, the rest of the members must defend it. We cannot join NATO now, but we will join in the future, after To win the war, and this will be the strongest barrier for Russia to launch a new aggression against Ukraine.
● How do you comment on the leaking of documents from the Pentagon indicating espionage on the Ukrainian president and the scarcity of anti-aircraft weapons that your country possesses?
A: I do not think that anyone is spying on President Zelensky. Officials cannot discuss leaks, because we live in a world where information is not only subject to leakage, but also to distortion in one way or another.
The beneficiaries can distort the information, but when you look at the amount of US aid to Ukraine in this war, you will know that it is the first country to support in this war.
As for the scarcity of missiles, we do not need any leaks, to tell you officially, that we constantly need anti-aircraft missiles, military equipment, and our list of needs in the war with a country like Russia.
long.
We need anti-aircraft guns because Russia is bombing our safe cities, while the Russian side claims that it is bombing our military forces. This is not true, as the Russian forces are targeting our vital facilities.
Ukraine before the war was the first source of energy to Europe, but after targeting and destroying these facilities, we now need to import energy from abroad. So it is certain that more anti-aircraft assistance hinders the effectiveness of Russian air strikes.
● We are witnessing many conflict areas in the world. Do you think there is a real need to reconsider the work mechanism of the United Nations and the Security Council?
A: When I was a university student, we used to discuss and study the structure and feasibility of the United Nations means in building global peace, and today, when I became foreign minister, we are still discussing the same topic. Yes, there are many conflict areas in the world, and every war sends a message that the international peacekeeping mechanism is in place. Ineffective, because if it were, the war would not have broken out. Of course, we need to recalibrate and correct these mechanisms used in maintaining world peace.
For example, the veto system must be reconsidered, as any decision the Security Council seeks to take in the Ukrainian war is rejected by Russia, relying on the right of veto as a permanent member of the Security Council.
● What about your meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Lavrov?
We have already met in Antalya during the month of April last year. Mr. Lavrov is one of the main partners of Mr. Putin, and what he is doing is not diplomatic in any way, rather it is more like falsifying facts in favor of Mr. Putin.
If I had to sit down with him to end the war, I certainly would, and the best case scenario for doing so would be for us to come together to sign the surrender of the Russian forces in Ukraine.
Do you think that will be soon?
Yes, it is possible, but more than that, this will happen, as Russia has already lost the war, and that the Russian side believes that it can control the entire Ukrainian territory in just a few days, but unfortunately the war lasted for more than a year, and what Russia is currently doing Is trying to take more time.
And that the moment of controlling all our lands will be achieved not only because of our steadfastness, but also as a result of our diplomatic efforts.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
» utube 7/6/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar-IQD-AI-Economic & Digital Impact Critical-JPMorgan-100% Completion Po
» Parliamentary Oil Committee reveals details of the Oil and Gas Law and the reason for not legislatin
» Oil and Gas Law.. The Unsolvable Knot
» Abdul Latif attacks Jordan and rejects the Basra-Aqaba pipeline project
» Revealing an agreement for 3 scenarios to decide the position of the Speaker of Parliament
» Parliamentarian reveals reasons for suspending the oil and gas law
» Integrity Commission calls for removing encroachment on 26 properties belonging to the General Compa
» Despite its economic importance, cotton cultivation is suffering in Iraq: Will it disappear?
» Government confirmation: "Ur Gate" contributed to reducing the phenomenon of corruption
» Allocating one trillion dinars for it.. Al-Sudani issues a directive regarding Diwaniya service proj
» Disclosure of the latest developments in the Baghdad Metro project
» Parliamentary Integrity points out observations on the work of some ministers: Pressures brought abo
» Central Bank of Iraq sales exceed one billion dollars in a week
» Parliamentary Oil Committee reveals details of the Oil and Gas Law and the reason for not legislatin
» Electronically.. Trade launches supply operations in Muthanna
» Record number of dollar sales by the Central Bank in a week
» Al-Sudani's advisor: Iraq is in the process of paying off long-term development loans to the World B
» Parliamentary Oil Committee calls for speeding up the legislation of the Oil and Gas Law
» MM&C 7/4/24 Tabaqchali: An Unfolding Structural Economic Transformation in Iraq
» utube 7/4/24 MM&C IQD Updates - Iraqi Dinar - Relations w / Baghdad & Kurdistan - Good - Financial
» Significant decline in oil derivatives exports to Jordan
» MP calls for expulsion of Turkish forces from Iraq
» Al-Salami reveals collecting parliamentary signatures to amend Article 57
» Unveiling a strategic line that supplies electricity to 6 cities in western Nineveh
» Al-Shammari arrives in Karbala to review the mechanism for implementing the Muharram plan
» MP sets timing for deciding on House of Representatives presidency
» Al-Zayer on the deterioration of electricity: failed companies and corrupt contractors
» Iraq ranks 61st globally and 7th in the Arab world among the safest countries in the world
» Will the exchange rate reach 1600 dinars?
» Iraq's lungs are suffering.. Gaseous pollutants increase the incidence of cancer in Basra
» Government plan to raise gasoline production to 35 million liters per day
» Parliamentary Committee announces the establishment of the first water management council.. What wil
» US messages to Iraqi leaders: Dollar cash flow may stop
» Al-Mandlawi: Iraq is keen to involve Polish companies in investment opportunities
» The Iraqi Private Sector and Improving the Investment Environment in the National Development Plan 2
» Dollar exchange rates in local markets.. Learn about them
» How much is Iraq's loan from the IMF?
» Barzani in Baghdad to end Erbil's problems with the center
» Basra pursues land contract fraud
» PM to Barzani: We have made significant progress in building trust
» Baghdad Council threatens to confiscate illegal generators
» Iraqi Creatives Museums and Cultural Centers
» Oil: Gas investment reached 62%
» Barzani in Baghdad
» Private universities and the labor market
» Experts expect the money supply to invest in stocks
» Stock market trading exceeds 281 billion shares
» Extensive government measures to curb the “madness” of housing unit prices
» World Bank: Iraq is among the middle-income countries
» Experts praise agricultural policies and call for supporting farmers
» In response to an appeal via "Baghdad Today", Al-Badran adopts adding a district to the project plan
» The Central Bank in Erbil debunks fears and speculations about the localization of salaries in the r
» Iraqi innovation turns plastic waste into electricity fuel
» Withdrawing advances "without the employees' knowledge".. Maysan Education threatens Rafidain Bank
» Iraq begins establishing first water management council
» Drought in Kurdistan reaches 'dangerous' stages, residents overuse groundwater
» Due to the "assessment exam", a minister fails the final exams at a private university
» Al-Samarrai appreciates the efforts of the Fiqh Council: Its moderate discourse completes the consti
» Al-Sudani expresses to Starmer his aspiration for the continuation of bilateral relations between Ir
» The Central Bank explains the mechanism for travelers to obtain dollars
» Will Iraq witness a new displacement?
» Holiday in the region on the occasion of the first of Muharram
» Al-Hakim warns of new targeting of Iraq and directs an invitation to the government regarding electr
» Sudanese to new British PM: Support international peace
» The President of the Republic congratulates the new Iranian President
» Find out the dollar exchange rate in local markets
» MP: Parliament did not perform its supervisory role over the executive authority
» Development Road.. Formation of a government committee for this file
» MM&C 7/4/24 Official: Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization is imminent
» utube 7/2/24 MM&C IQD Update Part 2 - Iraqi Dinar - Automation for Revenues - Singapore Agreement
» utube 7/2/24 MM&C part 1 Iraqi DinarPart 1 - IQD Update - Progession of Intergr
» Slight increase in inflation rate for last May
» The President of the Republic stresses the importance of expanding the horizons of cooperation and a
» Border outlets announce the completion of the first phase of network connectivity by 100 percent
» Transparency: Sulaymaniyah and Halabja imports during the past week amounted to more than 17 billion
» MM&C 7/2/24 The dollar in the parallel market.. Al-Sudani’s advisor presents a different vision and
» Between Development and Silk... American-Chinese Conflict on the Iraqi Arena
» In the oil fields...gas flaring rates in Iraq are decreasing
» Iraq's North Oil Company production rises to about 400,000 barrels per day
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is witnessing the highest growth rate in the region
» In numbers.. Numbers of those covered by health insurance in its first and second phases
» Planning: Alternatives to slums will be found based on population census.
» Parliamentary Committee to Al-Eqtisad News: The Oil and Gas Law is Almost Complete, and This is What
» Central Bank: Delivery of dollars to travelers will be exclusively through company and bank outlets
» Electricity announces the operation of the (400 kv) line and the Al-Faw secondary station to relieve
» Government source announces the amount of debts collected for the benefit of the Trade Bank of Iraq
» To stop greed and exploitation.. the work of private generators on the parliament's table
» An "important" reason reduces citizens' interest in buying northern cars
» Water Resources: Water storage has tripled
» Daily.. North Oil Company's production increases to about 400 thousand barrels
» Parliamentary Electricity Committee prepares for "a series of hostings".. What is the reason for gen
» In response to an appeal via "Baghdad Today", Al-Badran adopts adding a district to the project plan
» Sweden takes action after three of its citizens sentenced to death in Iraq
» Iraq prepares to declare itself pollution-free
» Parliamentary Finance: The Staff Law will be passed in the next legislative session
» Iran looks with interest at President Barzani's visit to Baghdad, Turkey supports resolving Iraqi co
» Marwan Ahmed: 75,000 employees in Erbil will receive their salaries this month via (My Account)
» Parliamentary Services Reveals the “Optimal Solution” to Control Real Estate Prices