Ukraine calls on neutral countries to support its resistance against Russia

By Azman Abdul Hamid - February 24, 2023 @ 4:35pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Ukraine is grateful for the support from the international community but again urges countries that decided to remain neutral on the Russian aggression to change their stand.

"They should join countries that support Ukraine. Join with humanity," said Ukraine embassy Charge d'Affaires, Denys Mikhailiuk during a commemoration today to mark one year since Russia's invasion started.

Joining his call was United States Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters, who lauded Malaysia for supporting the non-binding resolution in the United Nations General Assembly for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

Describing Malaysia as joining the right side, McFeeters said the US, together with a strong coalition, would not tire in the effort against the war, demonsrated by a recent trip by President Joe Biden to Ukraine, and Congress approving another US$10 billion in aid at the end of last year to Kyiv.

He said more sanctions against Russia were possible to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war.

"That's fully possible, certainly in continuing support for Ukraine...I think there's already 2,000-something sanctions against Russia and there could be more, and the effort against Russian agression and war needs to continue."

The commemoration near the Ukraine embassy here was attended by 38 representatives of various embassies who were also shown some pictures from the frontline.

Also in attendance were Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Tamila Tasheva; Head of Crimea Platform Department at the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Maria Tomak and First Deputy Chair European Integration Committee Vadym Hilaichuk, who is also an MP from the Servant of the People party.

Earlier, Tasheva also praised Malaysia and other countries to support the teritorial integrity of Ukraine and she, together with Tomak, expressed their appreciation for the support for Ukraine from many regions including Southeast Asia.

Malaysia has also been helping Ukraine in other ways, one of which was rebuilding. A company in Johor Baru has been involved in building makeshift shelters for Ukraine.

"For all Ukrainians, our struggle is for freedom and values which are also about the civilised world. But, this war is not about Russia against the West but about democracy against authoritarianism," she added.

Tomak lamented the "not so much" reaction from the world when Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, turning into a military base that has been used to threaten the world.

She reminded the world that things might have been better if a stronger reaction was taken in 2014 against Russia that could have prevented the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Hilaichuk, meanwhile, stressed that the world has no other option other than continuing to support Ukraine, highlighting how Ukraine and the international community must seek justice.

"This is a war of aggression, genocide happened. The only way now is to strengthen Ukraine," he added, reiterating that Crimea has suffered since 2014 with ethnic Tartars, who are Muslims, being targeted, killed or imprisoned.

He believed that international war crime prosecutors or investigators could build a strong case against Russia given the kind of media and information technology being available today.

McFeeters said one man in Russia can stop the war, refering to President Vladimir Putin.

"Ukraine can also stop the war but with differing results. If Putin decides to stop the war, the war will stop. But, if Ukraine decides to stop from resisting, the war will also end but Ukraine will be overrun," he said.