Ukraine aims to hold a peace summit at the end of February, preferably at the United Nations with its secretary-general, António Guterres, as a possible mediator, according to its foreign minister.
But Dmytro Kuleba said Russia could only be invited if the country first faced a war crimes tribunal.
Kuleba also said he was “absolutely satisfied” with the results of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to the US last week, revealing that the US government had made a special plan to get the Patriot air defense system, which can shoot down enemy missiles. ready to be operational in the country in less than six months. Training usually lasts up to one year.
Kuleba said during the interview at the foreign ministry that Ukraine will do everything it can to win the war in 2023, adding that diplomacy always plays an important role.
“Every war is ended diplomatically,” he said. “Every war ends as a result of actions taken on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”
Kuleba said the Ukrainian government would like to hold a peace summit at the end of February, around the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“The United Nations could be the best place to hold this summit, because it’s not about doing a certain country a favor,” he said. “This is really about bringing everyone together.”
On December 12, Zelenskiy said Ukraine planned to start a summit to implement Ukraine’s peace formula in 2023.
At the Group of 20 summit in Bali in November, Zelenskiy presented a 10-point peace formula that included the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a court for those responsible for aggression and security. guarantees for Ukraine.
Asked whether Russia would be invited to the summit, the foreign minister said Moscow would first have to face prosecution for war crimes in an international court.
“They can only be invited to this step in this way,” Kuleba said.
On Guterres’ role, Kuleba said: “He has proven to be an efficient mediator and an efficient negotiator and, most importantly, a man of principle and integrity. So we would appreciate your active participation.”
He again played down comments from Russian authorities that they are ready for talks.
“He tends to say that they are ready for negotiations, which is not true, because everything they do on the battlefield proves otherwise,” he said.
Zelenskiy’s visit to the US was his first trip abroad since the war began on February 24. Kuleba praised Washington’s efforts and stressed the importance of the visit.
“This shows how both the United States are important to Ukraine, but also how Ukraine is important to the United States,” said Kuleba, who was part of the delegation to the US.
Patriot air defense system
Ukraine secured a new $1.8 billion military aid package, including a Patriot system, during the trip.
Kuleba said the move “opens the door for other countries to do the same.”
He said the US government developed a program for the air defense system to complete training faster than usual “without any damage to the quality of the use of this weapon on the battlefield”.
While Kuleba did not mention a specific time frame, he only said it will be “much less than six months.” And he added that the training will take place outside of Ukraine.