Exclusive interview of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Albania, Mr. Volodymyr Shkurov with ARGUMENTUM.al
By Marjana Doda
Editor-in- Chief
“Ukraine is still fighting for its independence, but at the same time it is fighting for European values. This half-year of the Russian-Ukrainian war was perceived by Ukrainians with pain for those who died and lost their relatives and friends, and at the same time with faith in the victory and recovery of Ukraine,” has said the Ambassador of Ukraine to Albania, Mr. Volodymyr Shkurov, in an interview with Argumentum.al in remembrance of the six months of Russian occupation of Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian people have united, standing in defense of their Motherland, demonstrating courage and sacrifice, as well as faith and unconditional will for victory. The Ukrainians will defend their independence to the end. And as our president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, the war started with Crimea and will end with Crimea. This means that Ukraine intends to return its territories to the borders of 1991. We believe in the victory of Ukraine, we believe in our army, which has demonstrated its strength, professionalism, determination and heroism, to the whole world,” underlined Ambassador Shkurov.
However, while we talk about the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Ambassador points out that, in fact, beyond Ukraine, Europe itself is at risk. “This war poses a threat to Europe as well, as Russia is still indirectly trying to question Europe’s ability to defend itself,” he said.
There is even a risk that the conflict in Ukraine could expand to other countries, not excluding the states of the Western Balkans, considering this traditionally troubled region.
“The tense relations between Serbia and Kosovo best fit this logic. It is good that both parties are currently finding an algorithm for the technical solution of the existing problems. We hope for the best. But, in other words, the relevant risk exists,” said the Ambassador.
In the meantime the Ambassador appreciated the unconditional support that Albania has demonstrated (and continues to demonstrate) for Ukraine, both bilaterally and multilaterally. It is about both political and humanitarian support. “I want to emphasize that Albania provided help to Ukraine in the field of military ammunition, but also in terms of guaranteeing Ukraine’s financial stability. In fact, humanitarian aid, medicines, food and basic necessities were also provided. I point out that even Kosovo showed solidarity and support during these difficult times of trial for Ukraine.”
The prospect of an end to the war still seems distant. Negotiations are at a standstill and have become even more difficult after the occupation of Ukrainian towns and villages by Russian troops. “We are interested in ending the war, ” said the Ambassador. That’s why the issue of arms supply remains so important for us. This is a direct condition for the deadline for ending the war.”
“The murders and abuses against civilians, the facts of violence and cynical shooting of ordinary people, the daily mass rocket attacks on almost the entire territory of Ukraine almost completely destroyed the possibility of negotiations,” he said. “Currently, it is very difficult to predict the date of the end of the war. Russia is increasing the number of soldiers because it realizes that the war is not going according to its (Russia’s) scenario and that the loss of manpower is too great. Ukraine is defending itself and trying to defeat the aggressor. We have also lost and are losing many of our people. This means that we are interested in ending the war. The sooner, the better. Therefore, the issue of arms supply remains so important for us. This is a direct condition for the end of the war”.
“War is the worst means of clarifying relations and is a shameful phenomenon in the civilized world. But today I am asking for the maximum support of Ukraine with weapons, because, unfortunately, Russia can only understand the language of force.” This is the appeal of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Tirana in this interview whose full text can be found in Albanian at Argumentum.al
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