Ukraine War: President Zelenskyy’s top aide says he doesn’t think Russia will launch a nuclear strike | World News
A top aide to the President of Ukraine says he does not believe Moscow will launch a nuclear attack on his country because Russian decision-makers know they will likely die in a war. global nuclear.
Andriy Yermak also told Sky News he’s hopeful Ukraine would “soon” defeat the invading Russian forces and secure victory.
Mr. Yermak paid tribute to Scott Sibley, 36, First British citizen to be killed fighting for Ukraine against the Russian army.
“We miss – this hero will be in our hearts,” he said.
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The head of the President’s Office Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the pressures of more than two months of war, saying that the discovery of mass graves and evidence of war crimes in the town of Bucha and other areas outside Kyiv were some of the darkest times.
Mr. Yermak said if Russian The forces again attempted to advance to the capital they would lose, having been thwarted in their initial attempt in the early stages of the invasion.
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“We will fight to the end, until our whole territory will be under the control of the Ukrainian government,” he said in an interview, speaking in English, sitting at a table in one room. The meeting is located deep in the very fortified Presidential Palace. Office in Kyiv.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin was outspoken about his nuclear arsenal during the crisis, raising fears that he could use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
However, Mr. Yermak said one Russian tactic is to use blackmail to intimidate opponents, whether it’s threatening to turn off energy in Europe or threatening to use chemical or nuclear weapons in Europe. Ukraine.
Police work during the identification process following the killing of civilians in Bucha. Photo: AP
He noted, as President Zelenskyy said, that the nuclear threat from Russia does exist.
However, Mr. Yermak said: “Personally, I do not believe that Russia will use nuclear weapons.”
“The people who make this decision all want to live – and if they start using nuclear weapons it will be the end, not just for some soldiers… It will be a war,” he said. new nuclear war and no one knows who will survive this.”
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When asked if it really meant the end of the world, he said: “That’s right – these people just wanted to be alive so they risked a lot.”
Turning to the war effort, now centered in the east and southeast of Ukraine, the top aide stressed the vital importance of Western weapons in supporting Ukrainian forces in combat.
“It’s one of the conditions that helps us win quickly and win without losing much,” he said.
“We’re paying the highest price right now, because we’re paying with the lives of our people.”
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Mr Yermak spoke enthusiastically of the friendship and strong support from the UK, and called UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to Kyiv in April to consider Mr Zelenskyy a “great inspiration”.
He said the two leaders’ decision to leave the grounds of the Presidential Office and take a stroll through the capital to Independence Square was coincidental – to the surprise of their security officers.
“It was a big shock for security but very happy for the people.”
As for how long he thinks the war in Ukraine will last, Mr. Yermak said: “I hope not for long. Maybe some people want it too long. I think most Ukrainians want it to end as soon as possible. But it’s going to try to win ours… I hope that we win soon and I’m sure of that.”
