Interview with Ukraine Ambassador to Japan: Proclaims 100% support for nuclear-free world, potential for breakthrough in war contingent on provision of weapons
Mar. 6, 2024
by Michiko Tanaka, Senior Staff Writer
Sergiy Korsunsky, Ukraine Ambassador to Japan, spoke in an interview with the Chugoku Shimbun about the ongoing Russian invasion of his country. Mr. Korsunsky emphasized that the current stalemate in the war could be broken if an adequate supply of weapons were to be provided by nations in the West. With Russia persisting in its threats to use nuclear weapons, he urged the people of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima to continue voicing their opposition to nuclear weapons.
Two years have passed since the start of the Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian military has succeeded at countering Russia’s invasion. We have been able to liberate some of the territories that had been occupied by Russia, and the frontline of the war has not moved substantially over the past half-year. The Russian military has suffered huge casualties and losses, both in terms of the number of troops and of fighter jets.
But we have to acknowledge that the current situation is precarious. At present, we lack sufficient weapons and ammunition to carry out effective counterattacks. Russia’s military has placed innumerable landmines on the territory they occupy. If we were to attempt to advance, we would be placing at risk the lives of our troops. We absolutely need long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets.
Fatigue over support for the war in Ukraine is said to be spreading in the West.
Such information about fatigue in that sense is Russian propaganda. We have just recently signed security agreements with countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Can that be described as fatigue? Russia is thought to have sought support from North Korea and Iran. Moreover, in terms of strategy, Ukraine has the upper hand. Now if we only had the weapons, the situation in the war would change.
Russia continues to threaten the world with nuclear weapons.
That is absolutely unacceptable. The position held by Ukraine, the United States, Britain, and France is also very clear. If Russia were ever to use nuclear weapons on Ukraine, that country would probably face overwhelming retaliation.
Ukraine is 100% behind the concept of a world without nuclear weapons. But the path to eliminating the weapons must be made based on coordination among all the world’s countries, including Russia, China, and North Korea. We fully understand how difficult that goal is, but we need to continue calling for it as the only way to achieve a safer world.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine is still controlled by Russia.
That situation is extremely dangerous. Russia brought in weapons and placed mines around the plant which, with its six reactors, is one of the biggest nuclear power plants in Europe. We requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maintain a permanent presence at the plant, but they have only sent a few people there. We believe that so long as the Russian military chooses not to withdraw, the danger will continue to exist.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy visited Hiroshima during the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May last year. What is your opinion about the visit?
It was historic. Also significant was that Japan invited emerging and developing countries such as India and Brazil. Leaders of the nations at the meeting engaged in frank discussions about the situation in Ukraine. The summit also served as the impetus for the addition of the Ukrainian language to the audio guides at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (located in the city’s centrally located Naka Ward). With that, Ukrainian evacuees in Japan can deepen their understanding of information about the city and the bombing.
What are your expectations of the Japanese government and the A-bombed city of Hiroshima?
One of my strongest impressions from Hiroshima was the view I had from a tower next to the hypocenter. The city has recovered beautifully. I hope Japan can share its knowledge and technology.
As recently as a few days ago, Russia attacked the southern city of Odessa, killing 12 people, including sleeping children. Unlike Russia, civilized people have the capacity to learn from history. Nuclear weapons must never be used again, by any country. We hope to fight together with Hiroshima to achieve peace and security without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on March 6, 2024)
Sergiy Korsunsky, Ukraine Ambassador to Japan, spoke in an interview with the Chugoku Shimbun about the ongoing Russian invasion of his country. Mr. Korsunsky emphasized that the current stalemate in the war could be broken if an adequate supply of weapons were to be provided by nations in the West. With Russia persisting in its threats to use nuclear weapons, he urged the people of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima to continue voicing their opposition to nuclear weapons.
Two years have passed since the start of the Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian military has succeeded at countering Russia’s invasion. We have been able to liberate some of the territories that had been occupied by Russia, and the frontline of the war has not moved substantially over the past half-year. The Russian military has suffered huge casualties and losses, both in terms of the number of troops and of fighter jets.
But we have to acknowledge that the current situation is precarious. At present, we lack sufficient weapons and ammunition to carry out effective counterattacks. Russia’s military has placed innumerable landmines on the territory they occupy. If we were to attempt to advance, we would be placing at risk the lives of our troops. We absolutely need long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets.
Fatigue over support for the war in Ukraine is said to be spreading in the West.
Such information about fatigue in that sense is Russian propaganda. We have just recently signed security agreements with countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Can that be described as fatigue? Russia is thought to have sought support from North Korea and Iran. Moreover, in terms of strategy, Ukraine has the upper hand. Now if we only had the weapons, the situation in the war would change.
Russia continues to threaten the world with nuclear weapons.
That is absolutely unacceptable. The position held by Ukraine, the United States, Britain, and France is also very clear. If Russia were ever to use nuclear weapons on Ukraine, that country would probably face overwhelming retaliation.
Ukraine is 100% behind the concept of a world without nuclear weapons. But the path to eliminating the weapons must be made based on coordination among all the world’s countries, including Russia, China, and North Korea. We fully understand how difficult that goal is, but we need to continue calling for it as the only way to achieve a safer world.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine is still controlled by Russia.
That situation is extremely dangerous. Russia brought in weapons and placed mines around the plant which, with its six reactors, is one of the biggest nuclear power plants in Europe. We requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maintain a permanent presence at the plant, but they have only sent a few people there. We believe that so long as the Russian military chooses not to withdraw, the danger will continue to exist.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy visited Hiroshima during the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May last year. What is your opinion about the visit?
It was historic. Also significant was that Japan invited emerging and developing countries such as India and Brazil. Leaders of the nations at the meeting engaged in frank discussions about the situation in Ukraine. The summit also served as the impetus for the addition of the Ukrainian language to the audio guides at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (located in the city’s centrally located Naka Ward). With that, Ukrainian evacuees in Japan can deepen their understanding of information about the city and the bombing.
What are your expectations of the Japanese government and the A-bombed city of Hiroshima?
One of my strongest impressions from Hiroshima was the view I had from a tower next to the hypocenter. The city has recovered beautifully. I hope Japan can share its knowledge and technology.
As recently as a few days ago, Russia attacked the southern city of Odessa, killing 12 people, including sleeping children. Unlike Russia, civilized people have the capacity to learn from history. Nuclear weapons must never be used again, by any country. We hope to fight together with Hiroshima to achieve peace and security without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on March 6, 2024)
