One of the most difficult things in war is accepting and realizing that things will never be the same again. And it’s not a question of loss.
It’s about the fact that even after the war, when air raid sirens sound and people no longer have to flee to evacuation centers or stock up on water and batteries at home, their pre-war lives will not return. Yes, there will be a recovery and people will gradually return to their homes, but everything will be different. This awareness is very important because without this awareness we cannot live today.
The most important thing in war is to overcome fear. It’s not about ignoring safety, it’s about having the courage to make important decisions, act decisively, and not fear the escalation of myths.
We Ukrainians have overcome this fear. It cost a lot of money and often ended up paying top dollar. At the same time, we cannot understand why the democratic world and our partners cannot understand that there is no need to fear an aggressor and that there is no way back to “normal”.
The Russian dictator feeds on fear and weakness. Russia launched the attack on March 22, after the U.S. Congress was hesitant to provide aid to Ukraine due to concerns about a shortage of projectiles for air defense systems. the most huge Missile attack on energy systems in Ukraine. It hit our largest hydropower plant, the Dnipro Hydropower Plant, and several other important infrastructure facilities. The damage to Dnipro HES is deadly.
Kharkiv is under attack by missiles and drones almost every day. The city’s power plant has also been destroyed, and restoration is expected to take several years. Electricity and water are running there as planned, and children are studying there. underground school.
When we asked ourselves why a new wave of missile attacks against our nation’s energy infrastructure began in the spring, the answer was clear. The Russians are accumulating resources and preparing for decades of war.
In fact, the Kremlin’s goals regarding Ukraine have not changed. Dmitry Medvedev, former President of Russia and current Vice-Chairman of the Russian Security Council, explained them clearly. It includes the “complete surrender” of Ukraine and the subsequent absorption of our territory and resources by Russia.
Russia used all kinds of weapons against Ukraine, except nuclear weapons. especially, Kakhovkadam explosionthe damage to our country, people and environment has reached critical limits.
Everything the Putin regime has done and continues to do is the result of a weak reaction from the free world. Russia now looks like the school bully insulting other kids in the cafeteria. This bully doesn’t understand that when his behavior is punished, the teacher’s words stop.
This punishment should come from the United States and other allies, which provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, necessary amounts of ammunition and artillery shells, heavy equipment, and fighter jets. It is vitally important that we prioritize the security of a democratic world over pre-election battles. All this must be done quickly and in sufficient quantities. Because school bullies are afraid of power and only understand the language of power.
It is impossible to punish Russia, but not without economic penalties. The confiscation of frozen Russian funds is enshrined in all security agreements concluded with partner countries in the wake of the Ukraine war. NATO summit meeting G7 countries agreed in Vilnius in July 2023 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.
We welcome the declaration “Restoring justice in Ukraine”. document Forty-four countries signed the agreement, recording support for a special tribunal on Russia’s crimes of aggression and efforts to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit.
However, the deeper you dig into the process, the more questions you have.On the other hand, great progress has been made Belgium Ukraine became the first country to transfer approximately $2.1 billion in interests in Kremlin assets to Ukraine. But roughly $5.3 billion of that turned out to be profits. remaining in Euroclear account.
The Brussels Fund explains this decision as the need to insure risks. At the same time, no detailed explanation was provided as to what those risks were and what exactly should be insured against.
Similar behavior is often encountered when it comes to sanctions. No one in the world except Russia denies the need for economic restrictions on aggressors. At the same time, companies continue to do business with Russia through third parties to meet their budgets. And politicians are still turning a blind eye to all this.
After the European Parliament elections, there are plans to create a new position to deal with compliance issues with the sanctions regime. But what has prevented the introduction of such a position in the last two years? Everyone has seen how Russia evades sanctions and continues to receive both parts for the production of films. doing. missile and luxury goods. Of course they pay more than that. But if we continue to trade oil and gas with the entire world, will money be an issue?
It is clear that it is impossible today to return to the previous relations with Russia. The democratic world, its values and way of life were at risk. We all need decisive action. Perhaps even more radical actions than those taken at the beginning of a full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian General Valery Zarzhiny Written on the flag of Ukraine: “We needed peace sooner. We need victory now.” This is what is needed not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire free world. But the world ultimately needs to change its strategy from helping Ukraine fight to helping Ukraine win.
Kira Rudik is a member of the Ukrainian parliament and leader of the Golos party.
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