‘Ukraine’s future, post-war, is in Europe and the European Union’

Ukraine foreign minister Andrii Sybiha: ‘Our people deserve to become part of the EU.’ File picture: Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP/Getty

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is in confident form in the Turkish city of Antalya where he is attending the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

World leaders, heads of state, and foreign ministers come here every April to talk to each other and the media and promote dialogue. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, is also in attendance, just a few hundred metres down a corridor, but the two do not meet or cross paths.

For Sybiha, it is a welcome, albeit brief, respite from the war in his homeland.

“I slept well last night because for once there were no air raid sirens. One night recently in Kyiv the Russians launched 700 drones and 40 missiles against us. We shot down the vast majority of them.

“It has been our worst winter in living memory, but we hold the line. We are one year stronger.

“They (Russia) are now losing 30,000 soldiers per month. This is visually confirmed, but they don’t care. The war is becoming more and more harmful for them. Putin must admit that he will never achieve the results he wants on the battlefield.”

Russia’s response to the heavy casualties Ukraine is inflicting on them — primarily by drone strikes — has been to recruit mercenaries from across the globe, according to Sybiha.

“Russia has started an illegal campaign to recruit soldiers, mainly from Africa and Asia,” he said. “We now have more than 300 foreigners in our prisons who have fought against us for Russia. We need to stop this illegal recruitment.

“These losses mean problems for Putin, tension in their society and a necessity to engage foreigners.

“It’s always the case that somebody was promised that they could study in Russia or have citizenship. They were not aware of the real purpose of their engagement (being duped into joining the Russian army).”

Orban's defeat

Viktor Orban’s defeat in the Hungarian election means that one major anti-Ukraine obstacle has been removed and may well have hastened the arrival of a €90bn EU loan to Sybiha’s government.

Orban’s loss at the hands of Peter Magyar now opens up the possibility of a Hungary that will be more pro-EU, more friendly towards Ukraine, and less Kremlin-leaning, he said.

“Orban’s defeat was like an Orthodox Easter gift for us in Ukraine. This loan is really critical, we need this money.

“Our priorities now are air defence systems, artillery and artillery shells. They are crucial. We are ready to co-produce strategic drones with our European allies and this will contribute to their security too.”

Sybiha is clear that he Ukraine’s future, post-war, in Europe and in the European Union.

“Our people deserve to become part of the European family. Europe needs Ukraine because of our defence capability. We are now the global leader in drone and anti-drone technology. We have a lot to offer.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been busy shuttling between European capital cities and drumming up more support for Ukraine and finds the strength to keep going.

“I spent more than 18 months living with Zelenskyy in a bunker at the start of the war.

“He knows how to roll with the punches. He preserves his humanity. He’s very energetic and behaves like a true leader. There’s a huge responsibility and he takes it.

Our president demonstrates true leadership and shows how to protect the best interests of his country.

For all the talk of the heavy casualties being suffered by the Russians it’s clear that the Ukrainian side want peace and hope that 2026 will be the year that brings it.

“We have a 20-point peace plan, though the most sensitive points are not approved,” Sybiha said.

“Our people pay the heaviest price, our people are suffering because the war is on our territory. Ukraine is not the obstacle to peace. Ukraine is not losing and Russia is not winning.

“Every Ukrainian family has the same experience — we are protecting our homes and our country. I’m happy I have my family, they are a source of true inspiration for me. I have started to value very simple things.

“Putin has failed to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people. Resilience is in our DNA. I believe in our European future.”

Ireland will take over the EU presidency on July 1. He hopes a ceasefire in Ukraine and a meaningful peace with Putin’s Russia is finally negotiated during that tenure.

“We are very much looking forward to Ireland’s forthcoming presidency of the European Union because we think it could be historic.”

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