Ukrainians have shown Heroism …Says Ambassador Yurii PYVOVAROV

As tomorrow, Saturday February 24, 2024 marks two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Yurii PYVOVAROV, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Liberia, says Ukrainians have shown heroism and self-sacrifice in the fight against the occupier, who came to our land to destroy the Ukrainian state, nation and identity.

Amb. PYVOVAROV, who is residing in Dakar, Senegal, pointed out that Ukraine has withstood a direct military confrontation with Russia and is paying a huge price for the security of the entire democratic world and its common security of values. 

The envoy stated in an interview that the longer this war lasts, the higher the price for defending freedom becomes - not only for Ukraine, but for the entire free world.

Since the launch and up to now, he said Russia continues to use weapons prohibited by international conventions, such as phosphorus bombs, cluster munitions, and anti-personnel mines. Russia regularly and deliberately attacks the civilian infrastructure of Ukrainian cities - homes, schools, hospitals, and cultural centers, something which he described as a war crime that demonstrates the true face of the Russians and the goals of its war.

“Russia threatens the world with nuclear weapons. The nuclear bluff has become a favorite tool of the Russians to gain political advantage. Sowing fear is their main resource.”

He rallied the world to support Ukraine, because its future depends on our victory, otherwise permissiveness, impunity and (nuclear) blackmail will create new ambitions for revisionist autocratic regimes in the world.

“The war has entered a phase of protracted conflict to the point of exhaustion. Ukraine urgently needs Western heavy weapons. Particularly critical needs are MLRS, artillery, air defense, fuel and logistics. The impact of Russia's war is felt all over the world. Russia is solely responsible for this, having provoked a global food crisis.” 
    
“Russia will use the problem of hunger to pressure the world to ease or lift sanctions. The only cause of a possible food catastrophe is Russia itself and its militarism. The world must resolutely resist such attempts. Russia's complete diplomatic, economic and political isolation must continue.” 

Outlining the negative impacts of the war, Ambassador PYVOVAROV pointed out Ukraine is going through a very difficult time, stressing that every day, Russian terrorists continue to bomb cities and towns, kill innocent people, destroy my country's energy infrastructure, kidnap and deport Ukrainian children, loot and pillage Ukrainian lands, and zombify the Ukrainian population in the temporarily occupied cities and towns.

“I don't want to wish anyone in the world what my country is going through. This horror is called the "Russian world". It is just a hellish monstrosity that we must destroy, wipe off the face of the earth. Otherwise, there will be no peace for anyone. I'll tell you honestly: as a man, it is very difficult for me to refrain from harsh words and emotions that fill me when I see the atrocities of Russian villains in Ukraine, but as a diplomat, I have to restrain myself. And I do it at the cost of great effort, believe me.     A few figures: the Russian plague occupied 25% of our territory (by the way, in 2023, the occupiers captured 182 times (!) less than in the first four months of the full-scale war), 19,540 Ukrainian children were forcibly displaced, 24,000 Ukrainians were killed, 15,000 went missing, and 3,500 were captured. Almost 5 million internally displaced persons.” 

Since the war, the Ukrainian diplomat furthered that the total amount of damage caused by Russia to Ukraine's infrastructure has increased to almost $155 billion. Over the two years of war, Russians have destroyed about 250,000 residential buildings. Direct losses from the destruction are estimated at $58.9 billion.

As of the beginning of 2024, he indicated that the damage to infrastructure is estimated at $36.8 billion, and the losses to industry and businesses are already at $13.1 billion. 78 small, medium, and large private enterprises, as well as 348 state-owned enterprises, were destroyed or damaged.

“Nevertheless, the Ukrainian economy continues to develop: in 2023, inflation fell from 26.6% to 5.1% (in January 2024 - 4.7%), the volume of grain and oilseed exports remained unchanged at 6 million tons, and the unemployment rate in Ukraine is 17%. In 2024, Ukraine expects to receive €18 billion in budgetary funding from the EU, including €4.5 billion in March. GDP grew by 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Ukraine's GDP is expected to grow by 3.6% in 2024 and 5.8% in 2025.” 

“As you can see, despite this Russian war, we are trying to survive and will definitely recover. And this is mainly due to international financial assistance. So I am grateful to our partners.”

“In addition, we manage to destroy this hated Russian enemy every day. As of mid-February 2024, we have destroyed 395,000 Russian terrorists, 6400 tanks, 11950 armored combat vehicles, 332 aircraft, 325 helicopters, 1881 cruise missiles, 7260 drones, 25 ships and boats. That is why we are fighting. And it will continue until we expel (or completely destroy!) these Russian war criminals from our native land.” 

Regarding the human rights situation in Ukraine, Amb. PYVOVAROV named the attacks on civilian targets, torture, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence against civilians, and, as a result, violations of other rights. 

“Russia's attacks have deprived millions of Ukrainians of their basic rights to life, education, and health care. About eight million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, creating the largest migration flow since World War II.
Up to 40 percent of the energy infrastructure was damaged by massive attacks by Russian missiles and drones in the second half of 2022 alone, leading not only to regular power outages but also to a sharp deterioration in the quality of life and medical care for millions of people.” 

At least 1,100 hospitals he disclosed were damaged and 144 were destroyed. Along with the restrictions on many rights, Ukrainians have also faced a sharp deterioration in the environmental situation due to the full-scale war launched by Russia.

“I cannot but mention the so-called "filtration" of Ukrainians by the Russian authorities, with thousands of testimonies of torture, death threats, separation of families and taking children away from their parents. All of this is evidence of war crimes and other crimes against humanity committed by Russian terrorists.
I have no doubt that sooner or later Russia will be punished for its crimes in Ukraine.” 

Amid the ongoing destruction in Ukraine calls for peaceful solution, Ambassador 

Interview with H.E. Mr. Yurii PYVOVAROV, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Liberia (with residence in Dakar)
TWO YEARS OF CONFRONTING RUSSIA'S FULL-SCALE WAR: OUR DUTY IS TO DEFEAT THIS VICIOUS ENEMY

⦁    As Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches the two-year period, what are the most important inference that Ukraine military and political leadership can draw from the past two years of fighting?

     February 24 marks two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What does this mean for Ukrainians?
     Two years of full-scale war with Russia, which has actually been going on for thousands of years.
     Two years of anxiety, excitement, and living in complete uncertainty. 
     Two years that have forever changed the lives of every citizen of Ukraine, reformatted the aspirations and meanings we used to live by.
     Two years of a new vision of ourselves and our surroundings, crystallization of faith in ourselves, our country and its Armed Forces.
     As for the conclusions as of now, I think we can say the following:

1. Ukraine has withstood a direct military confrontation with Russia. Ukrainians have shown heroism and self-sacrifice in the fight against the occupier, who came to our land to destroy the Ukrainian state, nation and identity.
We are paying a huge price for the security of the entire democratic world and our common security of values. The longer this war lasts, the higher the price for defending freedom becomes - not only for Ukraine, but for the entire free world.

2.Russia continues to use weapons prohibited by international conventions, such as phosphorus bombs, cluster munitions, and anti-personnel mines. Russia regularly and deliberately attacks the civilian infrastructure of Ukrainian cities - homes, schools, hospitals, and cultural centers. This is a war crime that demonstrates the true face of the Russians and the goals of its war.

3. Russia threatens the world with nuclear weapons. The nuclear bluff has become a favorite tool of the Russians to gain political advantage. Sowing fear is their main resource.

4.The world must support Ukraine, because its future depends on our victory, otherwise permissiveness, impunity and (nuclear) blackmail will create new ambitions for revisionist autocratic regimes in the world.

5. The war has entered a phase of protracted conflict to the point of exhaustion. Ukraine urgently needs Western heavy weapons. Particularly critical needs are MLRS, artillery, air defense, fuel and logistics.

6.The impact of Russia's war is felt all over the world. Russia is solely responsible for this, having provoked a global food crisis.
    
7. Russia will use the problem of hunger to pressure the world to ease or lift sanctions. The only cause of a possible food catastrophe is Russia itself and its militarism.
The world must resolutely resist such attempts. Russia's complete diplomatic, economic and political isolation must continue.

⦁    What are the negative impacts of the Russian invasion on the Ukraine economy since the beginning of the war?

      Ukraine is going through a very difficult time. Every day, Russian terrorists continue to bomb cities and towns, kill innocent people, destroy my country's energy infrastructure, kidnap and deport Ukrainian children, loot and pillage Ukrainian lands, and                    zombify the Ukrainian population in the temporarily occupied cities and towns.
      I don't want to wish anyone in the world what my country is going through. This horror is called the "Russian world". It is just a hellish monstrosity that we must destroy, wipe off the face of the earth. Otherwise, there will be no peace for anyone.
      I'll tell you honestly: as a man, it is very difficult for me to refrain from harsh words and emotions that fill me when I see the atrocities of Russian villains in Ukraine, but as a diplomat, I have to restrain myself. And I do it at the cost of great effort, believe me.
      A few figures: the Russian plague occupied 25% of our territory (by the way, in 2023, the occupiers captured 182 times (!) less than in the first four months of the full-scale war), 19,540 Ukrainian children were forcibly displaced, 24,000 Ukrainians were killed,       15,000 went missing, and 3,500 were captured. Almost 5 million internally displaced persons.
     The total amount of damage caused by Russia to Ukraine's infrastructure has increased to almost $155 billion. Over the two years of war, Russians have destroyed about 250,000 residential buildings. Direct losses from the destruction are estimated at $58.9       billion.
     As of the beginning of 2024, the damage to infrastructure is estimated at $36.8 billion, and the losses to industry and businesses are already at $13.1 billion. 78 small, medium, and large private enterprises, as well as 348 state-owned enterprises, were                 destroyed or damaged.
     Nevertheless, the Ukrainian economy continues to develop: in 2023, inflation fell from 26.6% to 5.1% (in January 2024 - 4.7%), the volume of grain and oilseed exports remained unchanged at 6 million tons, and the unemployment rate in Ukraine is 17%.
     In 2024, Ukraine expects to receive €18 billion in budgetary funding from the EU, including €4.5 billion in March. GDP grew by 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Ukraine's GDP is expected to grow by 3.6% in 2024 and 5.8% in 2025.
     As you can see, despite this Russian war, we are trying to survive and will definitely recover. And this is mainly due to international financial assistance. So I am grateful to our partners.
     In addition, we manage to destroy this hated Russian enemy every day. As of mid-February 2024, we have destroyed 395,000 Russian terrorists, 6400 tanks, 11950 armored combat vehicles, 332 aircraft, 325 helicopters, 1881 cruise missiles, 7260 drones,         25 ships and boats. That is why we are fighting. And it will continue until we expel (or completely destroy!) these Russian war criminals from our native land.

⦁    What are the prevailing human rights issues that are entrenched in the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

      Regarding the human rights situation in Ukraine, the main problem is the various consequences of Russia's military invasion, which began on February 24, 2022. These include attacks on civilian targets, torture, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence                against civilians, and, as a result, violations of other rights.
      Russia's attacks have deprived millions of Ukrainians of their basic rights to life, education, and health care. About eight million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, creating the largest migration flow since World War II.
      Up to 40 percent of the energy infrastructure was damaged by massive attacks by Russian missiles and drones in the second half of 2022 alone, leading not only to regular power outages but also to a sharp deterioration in the quality of life and medical care        for millions of people.
      At least 1,100 hospitals were damaged and 144 were destroyed. Along with the restrictions on many rights, Ukrainians have also faced a sharp deterioration in the environmental situation due to the full-scale war launched by Russia.
      I cannot but mention the so-called "filtration" of Ukrainians by the Russian authorities, with thousands of testimonies of torture, death threats, separation of families and taking children away from their parents. All of this is evidence of war crimes and other              crimes against humanity committed by Russian terrorists.
      I have no doubt that sooner or later Russia will be punished for its crimes in Ukraine.

⦁    Can diplomacy at this stage becomes the best solution to end the war, and if so, how?

      No, I am sure that Russia is not ready for a diplomatic settlement of the war. First of all, this country needs to be willing to end the war, but so far we have not seen this. On the contrary, the Kremlin continues to send additional troops, formed of mercenaries,        reservists, and forcibly mobilized population, hoping that it will still be able to achieve its goals. 
      Until the Russian leadership realizes that it has no chance of winning the war, the path to peace is closed. The position of imposing Russian conditions and ultimatums on Ukraine is unacceptable to us. Neither is the option of giving up part of our territories          in  exchange for peace.
      We are also not interested in a mere truce or transferring the war to the stage of a frozen conflict. This will only give the aggressor time to prepare to resume the war. We need a sustainable peace, with our full sovereignty over all of our internationally                    recognized territory, as well as comprehensive guarantees of our security.
      We have always believed that political and diplomatic dialogue is the single most effective tool for resolving the war. Obviously, Russia, as an apologist for the right of force, is not ready for this.
      You know, between 2014 and 2022, we held about 200 rounds of negotiations with Russia in various formats. During this time, there were 20 attempts to establish a ceasefire. 
      Our partners tried to put pressure on Moscow to be more constructive, hit a blank wall in the Kremlin, and came back to us, convincing us that Ukraine had to make the "first step." At least to show the world that the problem is Russia. As a result of this                  flawed logic, Ukraine did indeed make a number of painful concessions.
      And how did it end? A full-scale Russian attack on February 24, 2022. It is immoral and naive to say that Ukraine should take the first step now.

⦁    What has been the lesson learned by ordinary Ukrainians from the war?

      No country in the world wants peace more than Ukraine. We do not want a protracted war - it is Putin who wants it. We have a clear vision of the path to peace, outlined in the ten-point Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
      And it is Ukraine that is paying the highest price for this war. We are losing the best sons and daughters of our nation. Almost no Ukrainian family has escaped the pain of war. In many cases, our soldiers have been serving for more than 20 months and do            not know exactly when they will be able to return home. 
      They are fighting in frozen trenches under Russian shelling. The number of civilian victims of brutal missile and drone strikes and crimes by the occupiers continues to grow. And the abduction of Ukrainian children and their "adoption" by Russian families              and "re-education" inspires horror in any normal person.
      But even with all the suffering, fatigue, and hardship, Ukrainians are not going to give up or make peace at any cost. According to a recent poll by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology, 80% reject the possibility of territorial concessions to Russia. Another poll                  showed that 53% of Ukrainians are ready to endure even several years of military hardship for the sake of victory. 
      Ukrainians are not ready to give up even in the event of a significant reduction in international military support for our country: a November poll by the New Europe Center showed that only 8% of Ukrainians believe that this could encourage the country to            negotiate with Russia. 35% consider Russia's willingness to withdraw its troops a necessary precondition, and 33% believe that negotiations with Russia should not be held under any circumstances.
      Western analysts calling on Ukraine to accept an immediate ceasefire or unfavorable terms are simply ignoring the views of Ukrainians. For years, politicians and experts in Europe and the United States have not listened to Ukrainians' warnings that neither        diplomacy nor business as usual with Russia is possible anymore. It took a full-scale invasion, massive destruction and suffering to make them recognize that Ukraine was right. We should not fall into this trap again.

⦁    What has been the main obstacle to finding a lasting solution to end the war?

      Obviously, this obstacle is the senseless and painful unwillingness of the Kremlin's master, this KGB officer Putin, to withdraw his troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
      As you know, we have been offered Chinese, Brazilian, and African plans to resolve this Russian war. By the way, none of them called this war a war, but only a conflict. And where are they now, these plans? They proved to be ineffective.
     That is why today, President Zelensky's Ukrainian Peace Formula has become virtually the only alternative plan to bring peace to Ukraine. After all, the war is taking place on the territory of Ukraine, so the plan can only be Ukrainian.
     We are grateful to a large number of countries for their willingness to join the practical implementation of our Peace Formula. By the way, on January 14, 2024, representatives of 81 countries and international organizations took part in the fourth meeting of         national security and political advisers in Davos.
     So we are moving in the right direction. The specific dates of the Global Peace Formula Summit in Switzerland will be announced soon, and we will definitely invite a number of African leaders, including the newly elected President of our friendly Liberia,               Joseph Boakai.
     Another obstacle to finding an adequate and effective solution that could put an end to this Russian war, in my opinion, is the lack of understanding or unwillingness of individual countries to understand the causes, nature and, most importantly, the                         consequences of this war. That is, the war is somewhere in Europe, and it does not concern us. I will not hide the fact that I am referring primarily to the countries of the Global South and Africa in particular.
     Perhaps it's more convenient. Of course, the choice is up to each of them.
     And now about the choice. What is the Russian war in Ukraine, if we get rid of political and national rhetoric? It is a crime. There is a criminal and a victim of a crime. There is a murderer and there is someone whom he kills or tries to kill. The criminal is                 Russia. The victim is Ukraine. This cannot be denied or refuted. It is a fact. And then everyone makes their own choice: to help the criminal or to save his victim.
     Yes, it is not always comfortable to stand next to someone who is being shot. It is probably easier to stand in the line of executioners.
     Everyone makes their own choice. It is important to understand that there is no third option.

⦁     What is Ukraine global assistance package to sustain the war and resist Russia invasion?

      The overall military and financial support from our partners is significant. It reaches tens of billions of dollars. However, today it is still not enough. We desperately need more heavy weapons to defeat the enemy.
      The Russian army is outnumbered, outgunned, and shells our cities and villages, including from outside our territory.
      That is why we call on the international community to provide us with additional weapons: long-range and rocket artillery, air and missile defense systems, and armored vehicles. 
      This will allow us to defend ourselves, expel the occupiers from our land, and protect Europe and the world from major tragedies. Every day we delay the provision of such weapons means tens and hundreds of dead Ukrainian soldiers.
      Today, unfortunately, you can hear skeptics saying that supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom is too expensive and cannot last indefinitely. We in Ukraine are fully aware of the amount of support we have received from the United States, European and             other partners. We are immensely grateful to the governments, legislators and all the people who have extended a helping hand to our country in times of war.
       This support is not and has never been charity. Every dollar invested in Ukraine's defense capabilities has brought significant security dividends to the countries that supported us. This support allowed us to repel aggression and avoid further catastrophic             escalation in Europe.
       Unfortunately, however, there are many countries in the world that have not yet realized that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a war of aggression, in which Russia, in violation of all international norms, destroying the entire rule-based world order, is           fiercely trying to restore an empire, destroy a sovereign state, turning it into its colony, and achieve geopolitical dominance on the European continent. Such countries still do not dare to support Ukraine, condemn the aggressor, impose sanctions against it,           or stop doing business with it.
       Unfortunately, these countries include many African states, which still pretend that nothing is happening, professing the principle of "European problems - European solutions." But this is a false position. Even now, Russian aggression against Ukraine has             grave consequences for the whole world, for every nation, and if it escalates or continues, the consequences will be unpredictable.
       Scientists and analysts often warn of the threat of World War III, referring to a nuclear conflict between the great powers. But they tend to neglect the threat of a world of localized interstate wars, in which larger countries would feel free to attack smaller                 neighbors. 
       This would be the First World War, plural, not the Third World War. This is exactly the kind of world that Russian aggression can bring about if there is no common commitment among the allies to the goal of Ukraine's victory. 

⦁    What are the public diplomatic efforts to convince targeted sectors of foreign opinions to support the Ukraine government’s strategic objectives?

       Since I work in Africa, having the honor and special pleasure of being the Ambassador of Ukraine to Liberia, which I personally love very much, as well as to other countries of West Africa (in addition to Liberia, I am Ambassador to four countries in the                    region), I would rather talk about my experience here.
        I am pleased to note that Liberia closely follows the events in our country. It understands Ukraine well. And of course, it supports us, for which we are grateful to your country.
        However, in other countries of the region, a strange stereotype remains visible in some places, according to which Ukraine "is Russia's venerable sister." And the "Russian-Ukrainian conflict or even a misunderstanding" - not a war! - is a temporary                        phenomenon that is "a consequence of Western intervention."
        This is the kind of nonsense that has to be refuted and firmly rejected almost regularly. And it is extremely surprising when such narratives are expressed even by university professors and ministers!
        It can be cautiously stated that the general perception and attitude towards Ukraine in some countries of the region is improving and scaling up, i.e. becoming more adequate and lively. They are beginning to get used to Ukrainian news, Ukrainian theses,            needs and imperatives.
        The other thing is that some of them stubbornly continue to profess their so-called "neutrality" in the Russian war in Ukraine, which prevents me from seeing the reaction I want in the form of at least a hint of condemnation of this war on their part.
        Of course, there are many outspoken supporters of the toxic "Russian world" who often make themselves known through their anti-Ukrainian comments and speeches. We know who feeds, pays and directs them in the country's media space. However, in            the end, we manage to find arguments and facts in favor of the truth and sober logic, forcing them to silence.
        A certain segment of society in some of my accreditation countries has a positive image of the former Soviet Ukraine where they studied. However, after the collapse of the USSR, the vacuum of information about Ukraine was filled by communication                   campaigns of Russians widely present on the continent.
       Our task today is to give shape to these nostalgic sentiments of the target audience of formerly Ukrainian students and to link their memories and impressions to today's new, modern and promising Ukraine.
       Today we are shaping a qualitatively new image of Ukraine for most Africans.

⦁    What is the possibility of holding Russia accountable for the blatant human right abuse and atrocities in Ukraine?

       Already on February 26, 2022, on the third day of the war, Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court against Russia for violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 
      Ukraine also immediately filed a request for appropriate precautionary measures. On March 16, 2022, the International Criminal Court ordered Russia to "immediately cease the military operations it began on the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022"            and to ensure that "any military or other entities or individuals under Russian control do not continue military operations."
      However, Russia ignored this order. Back in 2016, Russia withdrew its signature from the Rome Statute, the international treaty establishing the UN International Criminal Court. And recently, the Russian parliament passed laws to withdraw Russia from the          jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. In other words, Russia is deliberately destroying the international legal system, trying to avoid responsibility for its crimes.
      Nevertheless, it will not be able to avoid responsibility. More than 50 countries have already filed lawsuits against Russia for its crimes in Ukraine with the International Criminal Court. 
      The prosecutor of this court, Kareem Khan, initiated the creation of an international investigation team to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by Russia in Ukraine. This investigation team is already actively working,                 carefully collecting all the evidence. In addition, international support is growing for the initiative to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. 
       And here I want to emphasize that we are talking about bringing to justice not only Russian soldiers, but the current Kremlin regime as a whole: the political and military leadership, judges, prosecutors, propagandists - all those who are guilty of planning,               preparing and unleashing an aggressive war.

⦁    How long can Ukraine defend itself against atrocious and unjustifiable Russian war on Ukraine without USA support?

      Let me repeat once again that the assistance provided by the United States and other Western partners to Ukraine is not charity.
      Ukraine will continue to fight with the resources it has. This is an investment in the defense of NATO, and in the defense of the American people.
      Those who think in their foreign policy calculations that Putin will not dare to attack a NATO country if he sees that he can succeed in Ukraine are making a huge mistake. Therefore, whatever the price today, the price of everything that will happen if Ukraine        does not receive help today will be much higher.
      I think our goals will be militarily achievable as long as three components are present. The first is adequate military assistance, including airplanes, drones, air defense systems, shells, missiles, and missiles that allow us to strike deep into the enemy's rear.
      The second is the rapid development of defense industry capacities in the United States, Europe, and Ukraine, both to meet Ukraine's military needs and to replenish the US and European stockpiles.
      The third is a principled and realistic approach to the prospects of negotiations with Russia.
      If only numbers mattered in a war, we would have lost long ago. Russia may try to suffocate us with numbers, but the right strategy, planning and adequate support will allow us to effectively fight back.
      During these two years of brutal war in Ukraine, Putin has raised the stakes to the point where half-hearted solutions are impossible. Any outcome other than a clear defeat for Russia in Ukraine would have alarming consequences, not only for my country,            but would cause a global mess.
      Therefore, we are simply obliged to fight and defeat this Kremlin dictator. How long will it last? As long as we have the strength and means. We have enough forces, but we need as many means as possible.

⦁    What is the possibility that USA will eventually approve support for Ukraine?

    I continue to be optimistic and remain of the opinion that eventually Democrats and Republicans will find common ground. Obviously, the US presidential election campaign is playing a huge role in this matter. Sometimes we hear very strange statements by        Republicans, including presidential candidate Donald Trump, which, unfortunately, have a destructive effect on the decision-making process in the House of Representatives.
    But I really hope that a positive decision will be made, because American assistance to Ukraine is of great and even decisive importance in our struggle for freedom, democracy and values.