VIDEO
EXCLUSIVE
[Klitina] Good afternoon. My name is Aleksandra Klitina, journalist at the Kyiv Post. We have Volodymyr Ogryzko, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, with us today.
[Ogryzko] Good afternoon.
[Klitina] I wanted to ask about your expert opinion on Putin’s logic. This active war has already been going on for two months. We see that the first plans to capture Kyiv failed. What do you think the objectives of the second stage of the “special operation” are now? What should we expect?
[Ogryzko] Putin has a clear plan regarding Ukraine. He formulated this plan a long time ago. And this plan is straightforward from his point of view. This plan is called “I want to destroy Ukraine.” All that is going on now is the realization of this plan.
The first stage had the objective of doing it at lightning speed, with the help of so-called “blitzkrieg.” He was hoping that the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainians would not be able to withstand the aggression. He was wrong. He is now proceeding to the next stage. He plans to fulfil this stage not by a frontal assault on Kyiv but by bypassing from the East and the South. However, I think that neither the first nor the second stages of his aggression will have a positive effect on him.
Since he does not understand the essential thing, that Ukrainians will never live under the yoke under which that nation called “Russians” is living today “behind the curb.” We are simply different. We have other views on the meaning of life. We have another philosophy of life. We have other values. That is why any attempts to replace freedom with fear are not suitable for Ukraine. We will never accept this; hence no Russian army will ever be capable of defeating the Ukrainians.
[Klitina] I see. Please tell us what the probability is of nuclear weapons being used. It is widely discussed, and this is what everyone in the world is afraid of.
[Ogryzko] In theory, it is possible to use anything. Still, I very much hope that even if one assumes that Putin has some psychiatric problems, these problems will permit him to take such a decision. Nevertheless, I think that there are enough sensible people around, at least military people, who realize that this would mean a catastrophe for Russia and Putin personally. Thus, I think they will not let him take this insane step.
[Klitina] I have another question for you. How do you, as an expert, evaluate the help of our allies, the EU and the US?
[Ogryzko] Thank God, it is now beginning to correspond to our needs. It was not so initially. There was no certainty that Ukrainians would withstand [the invasion]. Today, they can evaluate this. We will all do everything; everyone will do as much as he or she can to stop this barbaric aggression. Therefore, the attitude of our Western partners has changed. They realize that Ukraine is not only defending itself but also its values.
Consequently, they are also interested in defending themselves with our hands, sorry for the cynicism. However, helping Ukraine with weapons, helping financially, helping by pressuring, and implementing sanctions against Russia. Therefore, a specific turning point has occurred, and this assists us in attaining victory in this war.
[Klitina] Please tell us, what will put an end to this war? Many experts say that a complete embargo on Russian oil and gas would end Russian aggression. What is your opinion?
[Ogryzko] I think we must talk here about two factors. The first and the main factor is the ability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defeat the enemy. This factor is decisive. It is not just my idea. It is the idea of many politicians who claim that the outcome of the war will be decided on the battlefield.
At the same time, other experts are right to say that there is sharp influence on the situation from the economic point of view. And in this connection, the strengthening of economic sanctions is significant. And you are right to say that these sanctions should primarily be energy sanctions because the Russian Federation derives over half or even two-thirds of its income from trade in energy resources.
Suppose that limitations or a complete embargo on these energy resources are imposed or other means to influence Russia are found. In that case, this would have a colossal positive influence on the Russian economy starting to drown. I think these are the two factors that will provide a very positive result for us in unison.
[Klitina] Good. Thank you for the brief interview and your comments. Slava Ukrayini!
[Ogryzko] Heroyam slava! Thank you.
