Main content

Ukraine Deputy PM: Unconditional victory necessary

Senior Ukrainian minister says recapturing occupied territories is the only way to end this war.

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine鈥檚 Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has said the only 鈥渨ay to end this war鈥 is Ukraine鈥檚 鈥渦nconditional victory鈥.

Referring to those parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia, she said 鈥渞egaining the territories鈥 was necessary.

Speaking to Hardtalk鈥檚 Stephen Sackur, she said that Ukraine had told allies 鈥渓oud and clear鈥 what weapons were needed and that 鈥渢hose who do not鈥 provide them, 鈥渄o not want鈥 Ukraine to be victorious.

Ms Stefanishyna, who is responsible for Ukraine鈥檚 efforts to join the EU and Nato, was speaking after meeting with the leaders of Germany, France and Italy in Kyiv.

She said that Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron and Mario Draghi had seen Russia鈥檚 destruction 鈥渨ith their own eyes鈥 and 鈥渢hey know now the price of not delivering鈥 weapons in a timely manner.

Ukraine has demanded heavy weaponry to counter Russia鈥檚 material advantage but has criticised some countries for failing to deliver what is required.

Ms Stefanishyna said that if this persisted, Ukraine would have to 鈥渃ontemplate the fact that some of the allies are not on our side in terms of ending this war鈥.

Release date:

Duration:

2 minutes