Explaining complex things in simple words: Helicopter crash in Iran, sports diplomacy, partners' contributing to curbing aggression

HELICOPTER CRASH IN IRAN

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in a helicopter crash on May 19.

• Every country chooses its own public reaction to the incident in Iran: to express condolences or not.
• Official Tehran's decision to supply Putin's regime with missiles and attack drones in the face of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine led to numerous tragedies and suffering for Ukrainian civilians.
• Official Kyiv’s gestures aimed at solving problems and improving Ukrainian-Iranian relations remained without proper reaction in Tehran.
• Ukrainians are never happy about other people's tragedies, because of Russian aggression, destruction and death have become commonplace in their country. Now, Ukrainians are going through what Iranians went through during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988.
• Another Moscow’s attempt to find a ‘’Ukrainian trace’’ in the death of Raisi this time causes disgust.

SPORTS DIPLOMACY

On May 20, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that Ukraine will participate in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

• During the full-scale Russian aggression, more than 450 Ukrainian athletes were killed, including world champions. The Russian aggressor destroyed or damaged more than 500 sports facilities, including 15 Olympic training bases.
• The prospect of Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the Olympics remains unacceptable for Ukrainians.
• Despite this, Ukraine decided not to refuse from participating in the Olympic competitions; international competitions are of special importance.
• For Ukrainians, this is an opportunity to show the world our will and strength of spirit. Ukrainian athletes train under fire, often losing family and friends. Ukraine's slogan at the Olympic Games is ‘’The Will to Victory.’’
• International sport is an area for ‘’people's diplomacy’’. The brilliant victory of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 testifies to the great potential of sports competitions in attracting attention and gaining the sympathy of the world for Ukraine.

PARTNERS’ CONTRIBUTION IN CURBING AGGRESSION

The Russian-Ukrainian war is not a conflict between two states; it is an attempt by totalitarianism on the foundations of the world order based on international law, and the values of freedom and democracy.

• Ukraine is at the forefront of the fight against the ‘’axis of evil’’ and bears the main burden of efforts and losses. Thanks to Ukraine, other countries have time and opportunities to prepare for the onslaught of the world order destroyers.
• We are grateful to our partners for the material and technical assistance to repel the aggression. However, their efforts are no longer enough for victory and the triumph of justice.
• It is time to stop fearing and doubting. We are waiting for proactive solutions: participation of the air defence systems of neighbouring NATO countries in shooting down Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine; permission to use Western weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation; willingness to send military contingents to Ukraine for training missions.
• We can win only with joint efforts. And this will be a joint victory for the free world, proofing that democracies support each other and are able to defend themselves.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security