The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba: We have three arguments that make our position in the negotiations stronger — our resistance, weapons from partners and sanctions.

 Key messages from the interview for Ukrainian Pravda:

▪️The processes of destruction of the Russian economy have started. Together with the United States, we forced the Europeans to start preparing sanctions last year, so when the tragic day of the 24th of February came, they were ready. 

▪️ There can be no agreements without security guarantees. The ones that exist in NATO: if someone attacks us, others are committed to protecting us. But it would be madness to demand such guarantees only from Russia. We all know too well what Russia is like.

▪️On negotiations with Lavrov: During the meeting I told him, let's make all the necessary calls right now to solve the humanitarian corridors for Mariupol. He said “no”. 

▪️On the battle for the disconnection of Russian banks from SWIFT: “I will say it frankly that in my entire diplomatic career there has been nothing more complicated than the SWIFT situation. But the result is there, and this taboo has been lifted".

▪️The European Parliament adopted a resolution stating that Ukraine should be given a status of a candidate for membership. We have filed an application, it has been supported by the European Union, the European Commission has already started practical procedures for its consideration. That is, the process of Ukraine's membership in the EU has really started. This process will definitely lead us to membership in the European Union. This is something we could not dream of three weeks ago.

▪️Ukraine will raise the issue of reparations in the UN International Court of Justice for the damage caused and the killing of our people by the Russians. They will have to pay not only with money, but also with the imprisonment of specific people who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. 

▪️From Ukraine's point of view, we must clearly understand: either we are preparing for a war to the end, as a result of which we win, or there will be a treaty. I think the second option is still realistic. Ukrainian diplomacy is working to make the agreement as beneficial as possible for Ukraine.

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