Ukrainian FM urges to resist perception of counteroffensive as 'decisive battle' in war

KYIV. March 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba considers it dangerous to perceive the spring counter-offensive as a decisive moment in the war, since it will “shake” somewhere, this may strengthen the positions of Western forces advocating a compromise with Russia.

“We must by all means resist the perception of the counteroffensive as the decisive battle of the war,” Kuleba said in an interview with the Financial Times.

According to the minister, “decisive moment’ narrative is dangerous for Ukraine, because if it falters, it will strengthen the position of those in the West who want to push Kyiv to compromise with Moscow.”

All wars are a series of battles, Kuleba also said, and if this offensive is seen as decisive, but does not lead to “100 percent liberation of our territory, some people may say that this was the last decisive battle, and now we need to think about alternative scenarios.”

Kuleba said for Ukraine there is no alternative to the full restoration of territorial integrity.

He said every government currently backing Ukraine has a minority of voices that will push for a slowdown in aid and a ceasefire, even if the majority is determined to continue to oppose Russia.

“They are everywhere: in Washington, in Berlin, in Paris, in London. They will try to do something creative in the spirit of Minsk-3,” he said.

The minister also said that “escalation argument” used is an excuse, not an argument.