Ukraine, ambassador to Rome: “Stop nuclear blackmail, Russians leave Zaporizhzhia”

Moscow stop blackmailing the world with the threat of a nuclear catastrophe in Zaporizhzhia, withdraw the troops from the plant and allow the IAEA mission. The Ukrainian ambassador to Rome, Yaroslav Melnyk, speaks on the day of his country’s independence, which coincides with the six months of war, and denounces Russia’s attitude towards Zaporizhzhia. In an interview with Adnkronos he also says he is concerned about the risk of an escalation of Russian attacks across the country, as warned by American intelligence, he talks about the possibility of a resumption of negotiations and reiterates the request to the West for aid keep going to Kiev. ZAPORIZHIZHIA “Moscow, despite its superiority in power, has failed to carry out its” blitzkrieg “of subjugating Ukraine. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Kremlin is now actively seeking new ways to intimidate the world. of Russia at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant threaten Ukraine, Europe and the world – reports Melnyk – To prevent a nuclear catastrophe, Russia must immediately allow an IAEA-led mission to the plant, stop blackmailing the world and withdraw his troops from the plant “. The ambassador calls “Russia’s nuclear blackmail another unprecedented challenge to the world security system and to the entire democratic society, Russia must leave the station and return it to Ukrainian control. This position is shared by all our allies. We cannot allow a nuclear catastrophe in the 21st century. We must put together the maximum efforts of the leaders of all countries so that the Russian occupiers will leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as soon as possible and give a decisive answer to Russia which for its games it puts in place. global security and the world order system are threatened. ” ESCALATION ATTACKS The ambassador then says he is “worried” about a possible intensification of the Russian attacks: “We have all seen how Moscow behaves and how it follows the rules and regulations of war. The Russian army has unscrupulously bombed hospitals, kindergartens and maternity hospitals, carried out missile attacks on civilian homes, blew up shopping malls where there were women and children. Over the last few weeks we have heard appeals also at the government level through diplomatic representatives for the elimination of Ukrainian civilian population. Therefore we are naturally concerned about the possible increase in attacks on our country, first of all, given the importance of this week full of events: the national holiday, the Summit of the Crimean Platform, visits by various international delegations “.” The war – he remembers exactly six months after the invasion began – has knocked on our door when no one is there or waited. After all, Ukraine is a peaceful country and Ukrainians are peaceful people, completely focused on building their own state. We have never gone to war with anyone. However, our Russian neighbor, unfortunately, has other values ​​and ambitions. Today is Ukraine’s national holiday, Independence Day, but ironically, it also marks exactly half a year since the Russian armed invasion. For the sixth month we are fighting for our independence and freedom. Who did not expect such courage, unity and steadfastness of the Ukrainians is precisely the aggressor state “. NEGOTIATIONS Melnyk then tackles the issue of a possible resumption of negotiations, which Turkey is working with great commitment, a possibility in which he does not seem to believe:” wars end with negotiations. Sooner or later. And the leadership of our country and our international partners repeatedly invited Russia to the negotiating table even before the invasion. We know the answer. Leaders of the world’s major democracies have proposed a series of initiatives aimed at stopping this absurd war as soon as possible. But after Bucha the possibilities of negotiations have diminished dramatically. “WEST AID Finally, Western aid to Ukraine, with the call” to do more “.” Since the beginning of the Russian armed invasion, support and assistance from Western countries was unprecedented – acknowledges the ambassador – But it is obvious that more can and must be done. The whole world has seen the atrocities of the Russians in Ukraine continue to happen. Blackmail of gas, threats to the safety of nuclear plants, creation of the conditions for a global food crisis, Russia does not neglect any instrument “.” Therefore – concludes Melnyk – the joint response of Western countries must be tough, clear and most demotivating for the Russia. And this is not just about condemning the aggression, but should include a specific set of measures: providing Ukraine with weapons, financial and humanitarian aid, strengthening sanctions, bringing Russia to accountability, recovering damage from the aggression. These cannot be one-off actions, it is joint and systematic work, only without human casualties and without the destruction of homes, industries and infrastructures. “ELECTIONS” In the first place, elections are a normal and natural process, a manifestation of democratic legal order, for which Ukraine is fighting so desperately. And despite some differences of opinion – is the ambassador’s conviction – all political forces in Italy agree that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal, unjustified and unjustifiable. Second, it is worth remembering that all that is allowed to be expressed in Russia are elements of manipulation and hybrid warfare. A week before the Russian armed aggression began, political scientist Suslov observed that the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, as well as the recognition of the independence of the so-called DPR and LPR, were extremely unlikely, as they are not beneficial to Russia and will only consolidate support for Ukraine. At that time the Kremlin only allowed such rhetoric, which was actively supported by all government officials. Today the speech is already different and tomorrow it could change again radically. “DUGINA ATTACK” Believe me, for the vast majority of Ukrainians, the name of Daria Dugina became known only after her death. This person – says the ambassador – has meant nothing for Ukraine, but the accusations against Ukraine are quite expected. In principle, there is nothing new for us in this situation: an endless stream of lies, fabricated accusations and falsifications. In two days in Russia the murder of Dugina was revealed and, for example, for 16 years they have not been able to find the killers of Anna Politkovskaya “.