A month after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion Ukraine understands very well who in the world is our true friend and partner, who is a real ally, and who, unfortunately, has taken the place of a spectator and observer in this antihuman theatre of war.
This has been stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his interview for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
“Our pursuit to become an equal member of the European community remains unchanged. I am grateful to Prime Minister Draghi for his clear position and desire to see Ukraine as an equal member of the EU. Today it’s Ukraine that is standing up for all European values and liberties in this bloody fighting. Isn’t this convincing evidence that Ukraine has been a European country for a long time? But we are paying the price that is too high – our people’s lives,” the head of the Ukrainian state says.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminds us that the day before yesterday he addressed the Italian parliament and all Italian people. He emphasized that we have always helped each other in tough moments. During the COVID pandemic, Ukrainian doctors and humanitarian aid were one of the first to go to Italy. When there was a flood, Ukraine received and felt the help of Italians.
“Now we also need your comprehensive help because Ukraine is experiencing one of the most difficult steps of its history. Put pressure on the aggressor, increase sanctions on the Russians who have launched this war and those who propagandize it. Refuse to buy Russian goods, withdraw your companies from the Russian market. Russia must feel the consequences of their criminal activities – on their economy, on the emptied shelves in shops, in the yachts and mansions that have been arrested, in the impossibility to travel around your scenic country,” Ukrainian President addresses Italian people.
“We believe that all the civilized world will unite with us in the end, and together we will stop this war. Because the war is not in Ukraine but in Europe. I often say it to all world leaders: at the moment Ukraine is the outpost of this war that deters the aggressor. But Putin won’t stop here. He will go further. All Europeans, all leaders of Europe and the world need to understand this,” Zelenskyy emphasizes.
He highlights: the impunity of criminal activities creates an illusion that someone can change the world order, and that the force of law can be disregarded by the law of force. “We all know history well. We remember the Second World War and what it started from,” the head of the Ukrainian state adds.