Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) — The Ukrainian government said countries like the Philippines should be “genuinely interested” in their victory against the Russian invasion since this would send a strong message against aggressors, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told CNN Philippines on Tuesday.
\”When Ukraine wins, the message will be simple. It doesn’t matter how big you are or how strong you are, the world that stands against aggression will always be stronger,\” Kuleba said in a one-on-one interview.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said while the rule of law must prevail, there is also a need to strengthen military capabilities to defend one’s territory.
\”Build your army and defend the rule of law. There is no better choice for any country in the world. The rule of law could not defend you if you don’t have an army that will be fighting for you and vice versa,\” Kuleba said.
Over 500 days since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the foreign minister warned that instability will remain if the war lasts any longer.
\”The world will continue to suffer from instability, and more maligned actors across the globe will be tempted to follow Russians footprints and challenge [the] borders of their neighbors,\” Kuleba added.
Ukrainian FM: War leaves traces
Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced since the war, and the Ukrainian minister said it’s difficult to put a number on how many have been affected by the invasion.
\”War leaves traces and scars on the souls and bodies of all Ukrainians,\” Kuleba said.
\”I cannot imagine any single family in Ukraine that will not be affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine one way or another. Some were traumatized by the war, some lost a member of the family, some were injured and some were traumatized by missile attacks,\” the foreign minister added.
Kuleba said there are two tracks when it comes to the rebuilding process.
\”Fast recovery is what we have to rebuild here, and now to make hospital work, to give people a roof over their heads and to fix energy, infrastructure destroyed by Russian missiles,\” he said.
