Ukraine needs a win, not a draw - Kuleba

Moscow is not ready for serious negotiations, and giving it a pause now will help turn a frozen conflict into a "time bomb" in the center of Europe that could explode at any moment.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this on Friday in his video address to the participants of the jubilee congress of the International Paneuropean Union, which is being held in Vienna on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary.

"We need a win, not a draw. If we let Russia get a pause now, Putin will turn the frozen conflict into a giant time bomb in the heart of Europe, ready to explode at any moment. It would be a strategic mistake for Europe to aim for that outcome," he said.

The minister called on all partners of Ukraine not to suggest that it "compromise with our consciousness, territorial integrity or sovereignty." "Because these will also be your compromises with your own security. We in Ukraine are experiencing great pain and want peace like no one else. But we also know that wars like this must end with the victory of good over evil. Let's work together to achieve this goal," he added.

Kuleba noted that Russia is waging a genocidal war against Ukraine and "this war is also part of Putin's broader strategy to destabilize and destroy the European Union."

"Russia is using food and energy as a weapon and directing it against innocent people in Europe and around the world. Putin wants to steal prosperity and stability from every European family. He is also playing the 'hunger games' with Asian, African and Middle Eastern families, endangering the export of Ukrainian grain. He is resorting to nuclear blackmail in order to scare the West and sow doubts about the feasibility of further support for Ukraine," he said.

Against this background, the minister urged everyone "not to give in to fear and blackmail." According to him, every time the Europeans remained firm, principled, united and strong, "Putin always retreated." "Conversely, any sign of weakness is an invitation to Russia for further terror and atrocities. That is why support for Ukraine must continue and strengthen, and no steps back in the sanctions regime against Russia are unacceptable," Kuleba said.

Kuleba also said that now is the time to take Ukrainian victory as a goal and "work together to achieve it, and not look for premature peace agreements with Russia." "Moscow has not changed its ultimatum tone and is now not ready for serious negotiations. They make statements designed to create the impression that they are ready for negotiations, but this is only a smokescreen for continued aggression. No one should be fooled by this," the minister said.