Ukraine is currently going through a critical phase of the war. Bloody battles continue in the east. We lack heavy weapons to repel the enemy.
This was announced by Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on Facebook. He noted that the battle for Donbas and all other territories continues, and ahead - the deoccupation of all Ukrainian lands within internationally recognized borders.
"Ahead - difficult stages of liberation from captivity of our boys and girls. Return of Ukrainian citizens forcibly deported to russia. We are all working on this together - the President of Ukraine, the Office of the President, members of the Government, our diplomats, intelligence, military command and the military on the ground. This is a difficult path. But we will pass it", – he reassured.
Reznikov added that he had addressed the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Sunday. Reznikov suggested that the members of the Assembly take into account three things.
The first is that the actions of the russian authorities are openly criminal in nature.
"The kremlin is committing the crime of genocide against the Ukrainian people. At the same time, it is trying to terrorize the world with the threat of a global food crisis. This is state terrorism, which should be assessed in every free country. With corresponding consequences for criminals ", - he emphasised.
The second is that russia is investing enormous resources in lies, speculating on the problems it is creating.
"I called on parliamentarians to take the lead in explaining to their citizens what the Kremlin regime is doing to Europe. Talks about "fatigue" from Ukraine and the war, which are trying to artificially inflame russian leaders, and objective complications will disappear only when the cause is eliminated - russian aggression", – explained the Minister.
Third, there is no point in pushing Ukraine to make decisions that are about surrendering its own territory to temporarily appease moscow.
"After all, this will only increase the appetites of the aggressor. In addition, such steps will not be taken by either the Ukrainian government or the Ukrainian people. If someone thinks of ending the war in this way, he will get the exact opposite result. The war will come directly to the borders of NATO and the EU. On the air, russian kremlin-controlled propagandists are already saying outright that it is time for russia to "demilitarize" not only Ukraine but the entire North Atlantic Alliance. That is, we hear direct threats to the security of the world. There will be millions of new refugees and hundreds of billions of new losses for Europe", – Oleksiy Reznikov emphasized.
In its final declaration in support of Ukraine, the Assembly noted, among other things, that russia seeks not only to destroy Ukrainian democracy but also to intimidate other sovereign and democratic countries and thus undermine values that are fundamental to NATO and the entire democratic, civilized and peaceful world. .
The Assembly also noted that moscow's actions had created a new strategic reality, and that Allies and Allies should find answers immediately.
The Minister stressed that the NATO Summit in Madrid, where the Strategic Concept is expected to be approved, will be extremely important. This concept will be weak if there is no place for Ukraine within internationally recognized borders.
Reznikov also reported on talks with Western counterparts and announced good news from the United States.
It will be recalled that the session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was to take place in Kyiv. After russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, the Lithuanian Seimas proposed organising a spring session in Vilnius.