H.E.Mr.Markiian Chuchuk
Today, 19 November 2024, is marked by a bitter occasion. It is 1000th day in a raw as Ukraine has been resisting a full-scale military aggression of Russia, aimed to destroy the Ukrainian statehood, to exterminate the Ukrainian nation, to undermine rules based international order.
On 24 February, 2022 Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Invoking the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine responded by repelling the aggressor along the entire front line.
The fact that this aggression is illegal under international law is beyond any doubt. 141 states recognized it by adopting a UN General Assembly Resolution of 2 March 2022 “Aggression against Ukraine”, which states that the Russian aggression against Ukraine is in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and other rules of international law.
Active resistance from the Armed Forces and Ukrainian citizens caused significant losses to the Russian occupiers. The Kremlin’s plans to carry out a “blitzkrieg”, capture Kyiv and key cities “in a three days” failed.
The fact that Russia has failed to reach its goal to destroy Ukraine, is the main achievement of the Ukrainians in the war.
Since the start of the war the Ukrainian Army has succeeded to protect the capital, liberate the north of the country, Kharkiv Oblast and Kherson.
Ukrainians have proven that they can push the war into Russia. Kursk operation, which started on August 6, 2024 has shown that Putin does not have the strength to hold out when Ukrainian Armed Forces apply real pressure.
Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are repelling one of the most powerful Russian offensives since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Heavy and intense fighting continues along the entire front line.
Russia continues to accumulate troops and demonstrates commitment to the war of attrition, hoping to win with the use of its huge human and material resources, war fatigue and nuclear blackmail.
The material and humanitarian loss for Ukraine in this war is difficult to overestimate.
Faced with vigorous resistance, the Russian troops wage indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages, using terrorist tactics and violating international humanitarian law. Russia continues to intimidate and terrorize Ukrainian civilians by attacking the critical infrastructure and residential areas with missiles, guided aerial bombs and attack drones resulting in significant casualties and destruction.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies launched investigations into 147 842 war crimes and crimes of aggression as well as 19 797 crimes against national security perpetrated by Russia. They include the killing of 13 547 (including 586 children) and the wounding of 25 846 civilians (including 1 679 children).
The number of civilian infrastructure facilities damaged or destroyed in Ukraine by Russia has exceeded 193 938 sites, including 155 627 residential buildings, 3 675 educational and 885 medical institutions, 641 cultural and 198 religious buildings, and 8 084 water and electricity networks. More than 200 schools were destroyed and 1 600 damaged. 1,646 medical facilities were damaged and 215 were completely destroyed by Russia.
Direct material damages from the war at to Ukraine exceeded 152 bln USD. The overall cost for Ukraine’s recovery as a result of devastation caused by Russia has now reached 486 bln USD, according to the WB.
Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine has had catastrophic consequences for children: numerous killings and injuries, sexual violence, mass abductions and forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia are heinous crimes that cannot be justified and must be punished.
Ukraine`s goals in its just fight remain definite and clear. Ukraine strives for the complete liberation of all occupied territories, the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the internationally recognized borders, including the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, occupied in 2014. Russia must pay compensation for the mass destruction caused to Ukraine. War criminals must be held accountable. Ukraine will not make concessions to Russia to reach a ceasefire.
While at war, Ukrainians dream of peace. Ukrainians deserve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, not truce. It must be a long-lasting peace, not appeasement of the aggressor.
The true peace will come when Ukraine’s territorial integrity is completely reinstated within its internationally recognized borders, all captured Ukrainian citizens are returned home, and justice is achieved.
Key elements for victory of Ukraine include non-recognition of forceful changes to the legal status of temporarily occupied territories, consolidation of international efforts, provision of assistance, and implementation the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The First Peace Summit, held in Switzerland in June 2024, was a success, with 100 delegations from all continents participating. The Summit addressed three global challenges: nuclear safety, food security, and the release of prisoners and deportees, including children. The Joint Communique of the Summit currently has 95 supporters and remains open for accession by every country which respects the UN Charter.
The work continues at the adviser and ministerial levels to prepare a joint peace framework – a clear plan on how to end Russia`s aggression in accordance with the norms of international law – to present it at the Second Peace Summit.
Any country which respects the UN Charter and international law, can join the process of implementation of the Peace Formula. The support of a such peace-loving nations as Pakistan is important for the Peace Formula’s success.
The consequences of Russian war in Ukraine are global and affect geographically distant regions and countries. The lives of about 400 million people around the world depend on Ukrainian food exports. By fighting and disrupting traditional supply chains, the Russians pushed at least 70 million people around the world to the brink of starvation.
Despite the ongoing full-scale Russian aggression, Ukraine remains the reliable guarantor of the world food security, successfully implementing initiative “Grain from Ukraine”, a humanitarian food programme launched by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The programme will help overcome the consequences of the global food crisis caused by Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
Under the programme, Ukraine, partner countries and private sector donors supply Ukrainian grain to countries in Asia and Africa, which are facing malnutrition or hunger. More then 228 960 tons of agricultural products have already been shipped to Palestine, Yemen, Mauritania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, Mozambique, Congo, Malawi within the framework of the programme. These supplies allowed to ensure food security for 8 million people.
Ukraine works on expanding the geographical outreach of “Grain from Ukraine” initiative. That’s why Ukraine proposed Pakistan to join the Initiative as a recipient. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to participate in the Third International Summit on Food Security to be held on November 23, 2024 in Kyiv.
Ukraine is thankful to every country and every person who have been standing with us all along. We appreciate their support and will keep it in our hearts forever. Our Unity and Solidarity allowed us to withstand and fight back the aggressor. We call on all our friends and partners to stay resolved and united with Ukraine on its long way to the Victory.
The decision of the Government of Pakistan to dispatch humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the wake of the Russian Invasion in March and June 2022 was the genuine manifestation of a goodwill and friendship between the two nations. We express gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and look forward for active involvement of Pakistan in international efforts to stop Russian aggression and restore peace in Ukraine.
Ukraine has not surrendered to the brute force of aggressor. The resistance to Russian invasion goes on. Ukrainians continue fight for freedom, the right to exist, and decide their future. They demonstrate the world unprecedented courage, self-sacrificing and unyielding spirit.
Author is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan