The international community must be ready to send a "tough warning" to Russia that any hostilities against Ukraine will not only be considered unacceptable but will also come at a high price, Ukraine's Ambassador to Cyprus, Ruslan Nimchinsky, says.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency , the Ukrainian ambassador believes that despite the deployment of military forces on the border with Ukraine, there are no signs that the Kremlin has already decided to attack and notes that the emphasis should be on diplomacy. "The more diplomats talk, the better," he stresses."
Referring to NATO, he says the alliance will have a big role to play in developments in the region, and notes that Moscow's stance is not just a problem between Ukraine and Russia, but "a problem for the entire European and Euro-Atlantic security system.
Kiev counts on Cyprus' continued support, Ambassador Nimchinsky says, expressing his country's appreciation for Nicosia's consistent support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In his interview with the Cyprus News Agency, the Ukrainian Ambassador says that the crisis has lasted more than 8 years and counts more than 14,000 dead while nearly 1.5 million people have died. The events of recent months have clearly shown that Russia is adopting a deliberate attitude to increase tensions and is now threatening Ukraine and its people with the direct use of military force," he adds.
According to Mr. Nimchinsky, Moscow continues to build up military forces along the border, massively misinform, launch cyber attacks and undermine Ukraine from within. It cites more than 106,000 well-trained Russian regular army troops deployed near Ukraine's eastern border, along with tanks and other military equipment, noting that "these forces and equipment have not been deployed there for a good cause."
"Although Russia is reinforcing its troops on the border with Ukraine, there are no signs to suggest that the Kremlin has already decided to attack."
"Although Russia is reinforcing its troops on the border with Ukraine, there are no signs to suggest that the Kremlin has already decided to attack."
"Although Russia is reinforcing its troops on the border with Ukraine, there are no signs to suggest that the Kremlin has already decided to attack. If this is the case, we should focus largely on diplomacy," underlines Ambassador Nimchinsky.
He refers to the recent meeting on 26 January in Paris of the "Normandy Shape" (N4) between the political advisers of the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, which decided on a new meeting of the advisers in two weeks in Berlin.
He refers to the recent meeting on 26 January in Paris of the "Normandy Shape" (N4) between the political advisers of the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, which decided on a new meeting of the advisers in two weeks in Berlin. This, according to the Ambassador, "means that Russia is likely to continue the diplomatic track for at least the next two weeks."
All parties, he continued, support a permanent ceasefire, and Ukraine reaffirmed its readiness to continue to negotiate relentlessly to prevent war and de-escalate tensions near the border.
It notes the recent statement by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zhelensky, who said that "the ceasefire must be guaranteed, reliable and on this basis the next steps can be built."
Referring to the solidarity of Western countries, the Ambassador noted that "our allies demonstrate their solidarity and support not only in words but also in deeds, including by providing Ukraine with strong military assistance and coordinating their diplomatic efforts."
He says diplomatic engagement with Russia should continue at various levels and notes that Ukraine is ready for discussions with Russia "either at the N4 level or bilaterally, including at the presidents' level, on all issues related to a peaceful settlement of the conflict."
Ahead of the Security Council meeting on Monday, the Ambassador notes that "it is time for 'active decisions', not just 'words' waiting for another invasion to occur before action is taken."
He calls on the international community to send Russia a "stern warning" that hostilities against Ukraine will not only be considered unacceptable, but will come at a "high economic and political price." Russia, he continued, must respect the principles and rules of international law, but also show respect for the maintenance of international peace and security.
"As Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently stressed, 'the first priority today is to keep the situation under control, to realistically assess the immediate threat, but without downplaying the threat of a possible military invasion,'" he adds.
Nimchinsky also refers to his country's cooperation with NATO. "Bearing in mind Ukraine's NATO aspirations, first of all, I want to stress that my country and NATO allies have adhered to the core values on which European security has been based for many years," he says, noting "respect for the sovereign right of each nation to choose its own path and security mechanisms in which it wants to participate."
Despite not being a NATO member, Ukraine has a special relationship with the Alliance that "explains why all NATO members and Allies want to support us," he continues.
"Amid growing Russian military threats against Ukraine, I can say that yes, NATO will have a big role to play in what comes next," he adds."
"If the Kremlin's plan for Ukraine is allowed to succeed, its appetite will be whetted and the West is likely to face even more problems with regard to Russia," he warns. Nimchinsky, adding that it is important that all efforts and energy be focused on deterring Russia and ending the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas.
Expressing his appreciation for the Republic of Cyprus' "clear position" on the "non-recognition of the illegal attempted annexation of the Crimean peninsula", the Ambassador says his country counts on Cyprus' continued support "which is crucial for our prospects in the EU as we share values and commitments to building a more secure and prosperous Europe".
"The Republic of Cyprus is a reliable partner, we maintain friendly relations and we welcome our common readiness to further develop our bilateral political dialogue," he adds, saying he sees no reason why the current crisis could affect the two countries' ties.
I firmly believe that the development of our relations with the Republic of Cyprus is not directed against any third country, but is aimed at consolidating the foundations of peace and prosperity for both countries and our peoples, Ambassador Nimczynski concludes.
Source: CNA
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