Ukrainian Foreign Minister to Central Asian countries: “Put aside your fear, don’t let Russia weaken you”

On September 7, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, held a special press conference with journalists from Central Asian countries through video communication. Representatives of Kun.uz, ​​Gazeta.uz, Repost.uz and Yep.uz publications from Uzbekistan took part in the event.

Dmytro Kuleba noted that Ukraine is always ready to develop friendly relations with Central Asian countries.

“So far, I have been only to Kazakhstan. I went there on a personal visit. I always dreamed of going to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, enjoying your culture, cuisine, trying to give a new positive dynamic to relations. But then the war started,” he said.

“I sincerely hope that after the war we will be able to do all this, restore relations to the previous level, reinstate people-to-people contact, student exchange, infrastructure projects and trade. That is, normal countries do everything they can to help each other, to develop together based on the principles of mutual respect and national interests in peacetime,” said Dmytro Kuleba.

“In order to protect your national interests, first of all, you need to put aside the fear of Russia,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine during the press conference.

Here are some quotes from Dmytro Kuleba:

“By attacking Ukraine, Russia committed a serious crime. Nothing can justify the killing of 382 children by Russian weapons in the war; I think you will agree. How many children have we lost since February 24? Russia took thousands of Ukrainian newborns to its territory. They will be compulsorily given to Russian families.”

“Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have already recorded more than 32,000 cases of crimes committed by Russian soldiers during the invasion. And these numbers, unfortunately, continue to grow.”

“I will not hide it, now it is very difficult for Ukraine. But the main thing is that we withstood the first and most terrible blow, from which, according to all calculations, Ukraine should have succumbed to obliteration. But Ukraine did not fall.

Why? Because the Ukrainian people rose up to fight against the Russian invaders. No one in history has ever won a war against the people of a nation when they were united. Instead of fleeing from Russian tanks, Ukrainians lined up at military commission points for military service. Since the beginning of the large-scale war, our army has increased more than five times.

We have already managed to expel the invaders from the north of Ukraine. We continue to drive them out of our country in other directions, primarily in the south and east. Everyone can see that it is not easy. Every step will be taken with great difficulty, but we will go through it.”

“I would like to emphasize that Ukraine never wanted war. We have no plans to attack anyone, regardless of what they say on Russian television. Why should we attack anyone? We do not need foreign land or foreign resources. We have everything. We will never give our land to the invaders, and we will never forgive the murders, violence, looting, torture and other terrible crimes committed by the Russian army on Ukrainian soil.”

“I urge you to be critical of the information received from Russian sources. Today, Russia uses propaganda to cover up its “operations” in order to absolve itself of responsibility for crimes. But today, whoever turns a blind eye to the Kremlin’s aggressive policy or finds a “reason” for it, is inviting Russia into his home. I am sure that despite all the trials, Ukraine will endure and win.”

"Why is President Putin coming to Central Asia to shake hands? Because, without a doubt, your leaders, your government understand that Russia is not a friend – it is a threat, and it is necessary to be as careful as possible with it.”

“I have no right to give instructions to one or another country on how to establish relations with Russia. But I can say with absolute calm, with complete moral truth, that in order to protect your national interests, you must first put aside the fear of Russia. We passed this way. It is very painful. But we all have to understand that.”

“I hope you understand that as soon as Russia has the first opportunity to destroy your country, it will use it, just as it tried to destroy ours. They consider you “artificial states”. Whatever Putin is saying about Ukraine, he may start talking about Kazakhstan tomorrow.”

“Your countries have a thousand-year culture. When Moscow was still an impenetrable forest, it was a center of science and philosophy. But it doesn’t matter to Moscow. Therefore, don’t let Russia weaken you, don’t let Russia use you.”

“We are well aware of all the attempts of the Russian Federation to establish mechanisms to circumvent sanctions through countries, including Central Asian countries.”

“The pressure of sanctions imposed on Russia for its crimes will increase even more. Now we are paying special attention not only to the application of new sanctions, but also to strengthening control over sanctions evasion. See, even reputable Chinese companies are not working with Russia, because they understand that they can be under sanctions and lose more.

You need to be very careful about this and understand that whatever the benefits of helping Russia circumvent sanctions, the losses from the countermeasures will be far greater. I am not saying that any country in Central Asia is helping Russia to circumvent sanctions... Just don’t let them use you."