Less optimism but ‘unbelievable’ resilience to repel Russians as war drags on: Ukrainian ambassador to Singapore

From the safety of her lodging in Singapore, Ukrainian ambassador Kateryna Zelenko receives the same air raid notifications on her mobile phone as her countrymen some 8,600km away.

The sirens warn of impending Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and inform those nearby to seek shelter.

Ms Zelenko said the frequent alerts from the mobile air raid application is one way she can experience the harsh daily reality faced by her friends and family back home.

They also remind her of her duties as a foreign dignitary in the continued push for more support in Ukraine’s prolonged war.

“Every time there is an air raid siren in Ukraine, I'm alerted. It is a good reminder that it's time for me to double down,” the ambassador to Singapore said.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaches the bleak milestone of two years, Ms Zelenko sat down with CNA’s Asia First on Friday (Feb 23) to provide insights on the struggles of those on the ground, and the desperate need for more aid and weapons from allies.

FALL OF AVDIIVKA

Last week, the eastern city of Avdiivka in Donetsk fell to Russian forces, in the most significant gain for Moscow in nine months.

Avdiivka holds particular symbolism for Ukrainian resistance since Russian-backed separatists briefly seized it in 2014, and has been an important fortified frontline city to defend against further Russian offensives into Ukrainian territory.

Ms Zelenko said Ukraine’s retreat was a “tactical step” to save lives after the beleaguered city was encircled by Russian forces, which in turn suffered heavy losses in the process.

“The fight for Avdiivka has cost the Russian army around 47,000 killed soldiers just to capture the small town. This means there is stagnation and they could not advance significantly,” she said.

Delays in weapons deliveries from allies played a part in the fall of the stronghold, and are jeopardising Ukrainian defences elsewhere on the battlefield, she added.

“Avdiivka is a clear testimony to the fact that the delay in assistance costs lives dearly,” she said. “We need more weapons to make progress and turn the tide.”

PRESSING FOR MORE AID

As dwindling foreign support and supplies threaten Kyiv’s hold on the fragile 1,000km frontline, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to his Western allies to speed up aid and plug a weapons shortage. 

Ms Zelenko echoed her president’s pleas to replenish the overstretched and exhausted ranks, adding that if the world does not stand united with Ukraine, the conflict could snowball into a wider global security crisis. 

“Our soldiers are committed to defending their country, they simply need the equipment to make it happen,” she said.
“We need to work together. Not a single country in Europe is capable of defeating an aggressor alone. Ultimately, it's not only about Ukraine.”

When asked if peace talks are possible with Moscow, Ms Zelenko said Kyiv has held some 200 rounds of such talks since 2014 — when Russia annexed Crimea — hoping diplomacy would stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions on Ukraine, but to no avail.

“We agreed on around 20 ceasefires in hopes that it would stop Putin. But it didn't. It ended up in an all-out invasion (on Feb 24, 2022). Now we see that only with the use of force, can we make a difference,” she said.

US AID AND TRUMP

United States President Joe Biden has assured Kyiv that Washington would continue to supply Ukraine with weapons.

A US$60 billion war aid package is currently waiting to pass a final congressional vote after months of political wrangling.

But there are concerns that should former president Donald Trump return to the White House in the upcoming November elections, US support could drastically reduce. 

Mr Trump, who is on track to clinch the Republican ticket, has been highly critical of Washington’s continued financial and military aid for Ukraine.

Ms Zelenko said: “In several months, the people of the United States will make their choice and the people of Ukraine will respect it. For Ukraine as a country that is defending its independence and territorial integrity, it is crucial to work with our major partners.

“Our leadership will be open to work with any administration to make sure that we can make a difference not only for Ukraine, not only for Europe, but for global security.”

“DEFEATING RUSSIA IS POSSIBLE”

Ms Zelenko pointed to advancements made by the Ukrainian army so far, including the liberation of 74,000 sq km of territory captured by the Russians from the start of the war, and the repeated thwarting of the Russian naval forces in the Black Sea.

“Defeating Russia is possible,” she said. “Europe spent €750 billion to tackle the pandemic. We need much less to tackle the war in Ukraine. But if we don't, the impact and the implications will be heavier.”

While Moscow’s brutal assault has taken its toll on civilians and devastated the economy, Ukrainians are as grimly determined as ever to soldier on and drive out the Russians, said Ms Zelenko.

“There’s a bit less optimism than last year. But there is no pessimism either. The time for realism has come,” she said. “For many Ukrainians, it's just a clear understanding that it will require us more energy to keep going on. My people’s resilience is just unbelievable.”