Attacks on Russian military camps are increasing dramatically. In an interview, the Ukrainian ambassador Makeiev explains what he hopes to gain from the Ukrainian counterattack.
The events in the Ukraine war are rapidly escalating: on Tuesday, a drone loaded with explosives flies into the Kremlin, the next day a Russian politician calls for a nuclear attack, and on Friday, Wagner boss Prigozhin announces the withdrawal of his mercenaries from the frontline town of Bakhmut. Do you lose your nerve in Russia?
Embed
In Ukraine, on the other hand, the signs are pointing to a storm: the Ukrainian military has signaled that the long-planned counter-offensive could begin at any time. In return, Kiev has received Western tanks and other equipment on a large scale in recent months. In an interview with t-online, the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeiev reveals whether the German leopards are already at the front, where Chancellor Scholz is wrong – and what he advises his predecessor, today’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk.
t-online: Mr. Makeiev, the Ukrainian defense minister recently said that “everything is ready” for Kiev’s spring offensive. Is the counterattack already underway?
Oleksii Makeiev: I am often asked when and where we will strike. That would be the stupidest thing an ambassador can say. The decision rests with our military. Very few people are in the know.
According to President Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs a win, while others in the Ukrainian government warn against expectations that are too high. What are you hoping for from the offensive?
If you raise a glass in Ukraine today, you drink to victory. It hasn’t been done in 80 years. All or nothing. Victory also means peace and that no more Ukrainians will have to die or live under the horrors of Russian occupation.
Is Crimea still the target? Numerous experts doubt that Kiev will get this far.
Are these the same “experts” who said last year we’ll be overrun in three days?
Not only. Even allies like US Chief of Staff Mark Milley have doubts about the complete liberation of all Ukrainian territories.
A Ukrainian victory will mean restoring the 1991 borders, which includes retaking Crimea. In addition, those responsible for war crimes must be punished and our prisoners returned.
In the end, however, the goal is a greater one: the certainty that no one will destroy us again. That I, my family and friends and all Ukrainians will never be invaded by any country again. We have to bring Russia to its knees, that’s what it’s all about now.
Believe She, that the still in this Year happen becomes?
We’re working on it. It is in the hands of our leaders and our military.
Since Chancellor Olaf Scholz turned his back on tanks, the public debate about arms deliveries seems to have died down. Why is that?
Because there is already a fixed plan as to what will be delivered. As I made clear at the beginning of my tenure, I conduct my discussions behind closed doors and not on Twitter. Just because our preparations for the offensive are in full swing doesn’t mean that we have everything we need. On the contrary: Ukraine will need Western support for a long time.
What does Kiev need most right now?
Our priorities are clear: fighter jets, anti-aircraft defenses, long-range artillery, ammunition, armored vehicles and, of course, training. We are discussing this openly in Ramstein with 50 other defense ministers: Who still has what supplies, how quickly are they ready for use, and so on. This is concrete work, just not one that is openly talked about.
